Join us as we get together and walk to support the mental health of your dental teams for the Walk & Talk 4 Dentistry campaign.
In 2024, the landscape of UK dentistry faces a myriad of challenges, from navigating the complexities of a profitable NHS contract amidst rising operational costs to grappling with recruitment and retention hurdles.
While dental teams valiantly strive to bridge these gaps, the toll on their wellbeing, both physical and mental, cannot be overlooked.
As we confront these challenges head-on, it becomes imperative to prioritise the holistic health of dental teams.
This May, amidst National Walking Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, we introduce an initiative aimed at bolstering the wellbeing of dental professionals: the Walk & Talk 4 Dentistry campaign.
Partnering with Justin Leigh from Focus4growth, Dentistry is proud to champion positive mental health and general wellbeing within dental teams across the UK and Ireland.
Justin, a seasoned business coach within the dental industry, also spearheads the Walk and Talk 4 Men movement in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, advocating proactive support for men’s mental health.
For the past three years, Justin has led this initiative, fostering a community where individuals come together to walk, talk, and provide mutual support. Now we are in the month of May, we seize the opportunity presented by National Walking and Mental Health Awareness Month to extend this support to dental teams.
Join in!
The premise is simple: dedicate just 30 minutes of one lunchtime in May to walk and talk with colleagues. The benefits of this activity are numerous, offering a respite from the workday, alleviating stress, and rejuvenating both body and mind.
By stepping outside the confines of the dental practice, teams can forge deeper connections, provide support, and underscore the importance of incorporating positive conversations into their daily routines.
This initiative serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging teams to prioritize their mental wellbeing and fostering a culture of support within the dental community.
A number of dental companies are involved in the initiative: Acteon UK, Denplan, DMG Dental UK, Chris Barrow Coaching, Mark Topley – Purpose Driven Business and many others.
Chris Moore national sales manager at Acteon UK said: ‘This is a fantastic initiative shining a light on an often-hidden issue. The Acteon UK team are delighted to be involved and spread the message to our customers.’
Gareth Grimes, head of sales at DMG Dental UK, added: ‘We are proud to join this campaign to improve the health and wellbeing of our team and help to raise awareness of mental health issues within the wider dental community.’
FMC’s Walk & Talk
Yesterday (9 May), the FMC team ventured out on a lunchtime stroll in honour of the Walk & Talk 4 Dentistry campaign. Having a chat and an ice cream in the sun was a great way for colleagues to come together and support each other.
Join us in championing the mental health of dental teams by heading out on your own Walk & Talk this May!
How to get involved
We invite dental teams nationwide to join us in creating a space for walking and talking this May. Share your participation by documenting your walks and conversations, using the hashtag #walkandtalk4dentistry on social media.
Together, let’s amplify the conversation surrounding mental health and wellbeing within the dental profession, not just for May, but for the months and years to come.
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