Taking Stock

Unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as turning to alcohol or binge eating… check. A diminished quality of life... check. An elevated risk of chronic diseases… check. Mental health concerns… double check. If you're a dental professional, chances are you've experienced some-if not all-of these consequences of stress in some way, shape, or form. Equally worrisome is that another dangerous effect of stress in dentistry is a decline in patient care quality.

Even as the ever-evolving tools and technology around us enhance the dental profession, rendering improved workflows and enabling better outcomes, stress among dental practitioners is all too common. Dealing with stress properly is critical for dentists to not only improve their quality of life and the level of patient care they provide, but also possibly extend their career by living and working with a healthy frame of mind.

In this issue of Compendium, we feature a narrative review that examines stress in dentistry, including its prevalence, implications, and what triggers it. The article, the first in a series, emphasizes the pressing need for understanding and addressing this problem. The authors' hope is to raise awareness of this relatively inconspicuous but troublesome health issue for the betterment of dental professionals.

Our other continuing education article discusses a topic near and dear to my heart-adhesive dentistry, which, when applicable, helps preserve tooth structure while enhancing esthetics. Specifically, the article describes the selective enamel etch technique, citing current research to aid clinicians in achieving optimal results with dental adhesives. The article explains key differences between dentin and enamel that practitioners need to understand when performing adhesive restorations.

Other clinical content in this issue includes reports on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) mistaken for acute apical abscess, the treatment of an impacted mandibular "double" third molar, and a full-mouth rehabilitation involving severely worn dentition.

In case you missed it, April was National Stress Awareness Month. At websites like those of the American Dental Association and the National Institutes of Health, dental professionals can tap into any number of resources to help effectively cope with stress. And with summer approaching, now might be a good time to plan a vacation, take stock, and assess your mental disposition. It may be just what the doctor ordered.

Sincerely,

Markus B. Blatz, DMD, PhD
Editor-in-Chief
markus.blatz@broadcastmed.com