The Dental Board of Australia has launched a new, independent helpline for dentists which is up and running and will be operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dental Practitioner Support is a free and confidential service that operates around the clock so that an experienced team of counsellors is just a phone call away. Anyone calling the service does not have to give their name and can seek support anonymously. Access Dental Practitioner Support:
The first 24/7 national support service for all dental practitioners, it also offers support to dental students, educators, employers, Australian Dental Council exam candidates and concerned family members. While funded by the Dental Board of Australia, the service is being run independently by Turning Point so dental practitioners can have complete confidence in reaching out for confidential support. Turning Point is a leading addiction treatment, research and education organisation based in Victoria.
Board Chair, Dr Murray Thomas, said the service was about reminding dental practitioners that their own health matters. “This service aims to destigmatise a dental practitioner calling to get support to help deal with their feelings about any stress and pressure they may be experiencing, and to give them confidence that there is support out there that’s specific to their needs,” Dr Thomas said. “We want dental practitioners anywhere in Australia, whether they are based in a city or in a rural or remote location, to be able to access health and wellbeing support if needed, especially during this unprecedented time.”
The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated practice restrictions affecting all registered dental practitioners resulted in the service’s start date being brought forward.
For more, listen to our podcast about the Dental Practitioner Support service with Dr Murray Thomas, Chair of the Dental Board of Australia and Anthony Denham, Program Director for Turning Point. Listen here >
More information about accessing support is on the Dental Practitioner Support website at www.dpsupport.org.au