Table 3.
The pandemic has been a stressful time
| Participant | Quote |
|---|---|
| Male, 30-39, Northern Ireland, currently working as a dentist, associate, 1-24% HS, suffered financially, mental health suffered | 'I am completely disillusioned with how the profession is perceived by the government and health authorities [...] the [Redacted leadership] are being swayed by questionable evidence, patients are suffering and the [Redacted leadership] seem to be using it as a game to allow them to restructure the NHS structure. I am on the brink of financial ruin and am seriously considering a change of career. The stress is not worth it' |
| Female, 40-49, England, currently working as a dentist, practice owner, 50-74% NHS, suffered financially, mental health suffered | 'It has made me question my vocation and my long-term stability for myself, my practice, my patients and my staff. This in turn has been superseded with an actual solid scepticism that government are "up to something". I wish we had better communication and transparency for such an important sector' |
| Male, 30-39, England, dental academic | 'Stress of having to redefine practices of teaching, via remote delivery [...] knowing we are likely to be restricted for future teaching [clinically] is frightening for the next generations of young dentists' |
| Female, 50-59, England, practice owner, 50-74% NHS, suffered financially, mental health suffered | 'The anxiety of not being able to help our patients by seeing them is awful. We may lose our business. Being treated like an idiot and not being told what on earth is going on is incredibly difficult when as principals and dentists we are used to problem solving is utterly agonising. The [Redacted leadership] has and is assuming that we aren't capable of helping either [them], the country or our patients and that makes a hard job even worse' |
| Male, 60 and over, England, hospital dentist | 'I am worried each day about patients, they are without doubt coming to harm and many who were destined for surgery will probably not be able to access this in any realistic timescale. This is extremely depressing' |
| Male, 40-49, England, currently working as a dentist, practice owner, 0% NHS, suffered financially, mental health suffered | 'I have become totally indifferent about the future of my career in dentistry. If I had an "out" I would use it now. I feel the whole perception of dentistry in the UK has been irreparably damaged' |