Dentists Health Support Trust (DHST)

A charity run by dentists, for dentists, offering support with mental health concerns and addiction issues.

DHST provide dentists with an initial assessment, diagnosis and establish a treatment pathway. The charity takes responsibility for liaising between health providers and other professionals involved in the dental professional’s treatment. This may involve talking treatments such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), psychiatric medication such as antidepressants or mood stabilisers and complementary and alternative therapies such as exercise and meditation. The service is free and entirely confidential.

Website: Dentists’ Health Support Trust
Helpline: 0207 224 4671 (7:30am-10:30pm, 365 days a year)
Email: dentistsprogramme@gmail.com

Dental Defence Union (DDU)

The DDU has a 24-hour dento-legal helpline for members to speak to expert advisers (who are dentists themselves). Advisors can assist members with a complaint or a claim or signpost them to a number of other organisations and bodies dental professionals can turn to in times of need. DDU offer unlimited and free access to a 24/7/365 confidential counselling helpline for health and wellbeing issues.

To access this free service, DDU members can call 0330 678 1223.

This resource is delivered by Health Assured, part of the Peninsula Group, and can give confidential advice, support and information on areas such as:

• financial wellbeing
• employment advice
• legal information
• family issues and childcare support
• alcohol and drug issues
• gambling issues
• stress and anxiety
• bereavement.

Through this helpline, dental members can get:

• counselling support from experts from a range of ethnic, cultural and disciplinary backgrounds who work within the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s ethical framework for good practice in counselling and psychotherapy
• access to qualified nurses who are on hand to offer advice on a range of medical or health related issues.

British Doctors and Dentists Group (BDDG)

The British Doctors’ and Dentists’ Group is a mutual help group for doctors and dentists who are recovering, or wish to recover, from addiction to or dependence on alcohol or other drugs.

Telephone: 07792 819 966
Email: info@bddg.org
Website: http://bddg.org/

Trainee Doctors & Dentist Support Service (TDDSS)

Trainee Doctors & Dentist Support Service (TDDSS) is a psychoeducation and support service which aims to offer a range of interventions to support trainees on programmes managed by HEE Local  offices in London & the South East.

Website: Trainee Doctors & Dentist Support Service (TDDSS)
Referral Form: TDDSS Service Registration

The BDA Benevolent Fund

Provide financial support, money advice, counselling, and information when needed due to age, ill health, disability, and bereavement.

Website:  BDA Benevolent Fund
Helpline: 020 7486 4994
Email: Info@bdabenevolentfund.org.uk

ConfiDental

ConfiDental is a confidential listening ear and signposting helpline (run by practicing or retired dental care professionals) available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Helpline: 0300 987 5158

Wellbeing support for the dental team – UK wide resource

Wellbeing Support for the Dental Team is a downloadable guide created for all dental team members, including students. The guide outlines how to assess your own mental health and wellbeing and provides resources for self-care, including the range of organisations available to support you.

Local Dental Committee (LDC)

If you’re concerned about your performance, you could consider seeking help from your LDC. Some of these operate a practitioner advice and support scheme (PASS), which practitioners can approach for free and confidential support.

Occupational Health Services

The LDC or your employing organisation should be able to signpost you to local occupational health services. Here are links to the 8 NHS Trust OH Departments within Thames Valley. Try contacting the one you are employed by:

1. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2. Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
3. Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
4. Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
5. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
6. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
7. Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
8. Central & North West London NHS Foundation Trust (Milton Keynes only)

Thames Valley & Wessex Dental Directorate:

Website: Dental Core Training – Working across Thames Valley
Phone: 01865 932000
Email: england.enquiries.tv@nhs.net

Professional Support and Wellbeing Service

Website: Professional Support & Wellbeing Service
Phone: 01865 932 088
Email: PSW.tv@hee.nhs.uk

NHS Practitioner Health Programme

Confidential NHS treatment service for doctors and dentists in England with mental health or addictions problems.

Website: Practitioner Health
Phone: 0300 0303 300
Email: prac.health@nhs.net