We live in unprecedented stressful times. There is a global pandemic with no announced cure. Unemployment in the U.S. is at historic levels. Working parents need to supervise remote learners while trying to do their own jobs remotely. Racial tensions have gripped the country. Adult children with parents in nursing homes may not be able to visit. A national election is days away with a tremendous amount of anxiety on all sides. The list goes on.
High levels of stress have been linked to a number of severe conditions, including high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, stroke, irritable bowel syndrome and a weakened immune system. Stress can also be a major factor for dental health causing conditions like bruxism (teeth grinding) dry mouth, gum disease and TMJ/TMD.
Dentists are not immune. Studies reported in dental literature confirm that dentists are subject to a variety of stress-related physical and emotional problems. These problems included an alarmingly high incidence of cardiovascular disease, ulcers, colitis, hypertension, lower back pain, eye strain, marital disharmony, alcoholism, drug addiction, mental depression and suicide.
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a new stressful event for both patients and dentists. Going to a dental office. Appointments are more difficult to schedule. Patients are afraid that they will be subject to infection. Dentists are afraid that not enough patients will visit, and their practices have suffered.
The TeleDentists Can Help!
There are several ways The TeleDentists can help relieve these stressful situations.
We do not pretend to have solutions to all the problems which are causing stress today. However, if those problems are leading to dental issues, we are here to help.
