Addressing the Mental Health of Dental Professionals: A Hidden Crisis in South African Healthcare

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of  the critical importance of mental health across all sectors of  society. However, within the healthcare profession, and more  specifically among dental professionals, the conversation  around mental health has often been overshadowed by the  pressing demands of the job itself. Dentistry is a profession  that inherently carries a high level of stress, driven by the  precision required in procedures, the responsibility of patient  care, and the frequent exposure to patients’ anxiety and  discomfort. Despite these challenges, the mental health of  dental professionals remains an underexplored and undersupported aspect of the healthcare system, both globally  and within South Africa.