To implement at an Organisational (workplace) level the three-step action-oriented approach (Determine, Do, Discuss) developed by the FDI World Dental Federation [1] to improve mental health and well-being:
Determine
Find out if your workplace is an environment which supports wellbeing by using the FDI assessment tool to identify which of the six key domains supports your workplace wellbeing. Demands, Control, Support, Relationships, Role and Change.
Complete a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Health and Safety Risk Assessment including stress (see Health and Safety Risk Assessment template)
Public Health Scotland – Healthy Working Lives has produced Stress in the workplace a free online learning resource, that includes a “how to” carry out a workplace stress risk assessment.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have Stress at work learning resources and stress risk assessment template.
Do implement prevention and proactive strategies
Follow the steps in the Mental Health Wellness in Dentistry Road Map.
Sign up to the Mental Health Wellness in Dentistry Charter.
Identify a staff member to be the practice mental health wellness lead.
Support for dental teams has a resource ‘Wellbeing Support for the Dental Team’
The Working Minds Talking toolkit provides suggestions and templates for starting conversations amongst staff and employers to identify risk factors for workplace stress, and a resource hub for
NHS Education for Scotland TURAS website has psychosocial mental health and wellbeing support learning resources for NHS staff for taking care of yourself and others.
The FDI toolkit offers a list of suggestions with web links for additional resources.
Discuss positive changes in the workplace with colleagues
Encourage all staff to attend and contribute to staff meetings where wellbeing matters can be raised