Prepared, not panicked

Ayesha Mir offers a guide to mental health first aid in the dental practice. Aim: To provide dental professionals with practical knowledge and confidence to recognise, respond to, and support patients and colleagues experiencing mental health challenges, such as anxiety, panic attacks, and stress. Objectives To explain common mental health challenges seen in dentistry for both patients and staff. To demonstrate practical mental health first aid techniques suitable for a dental practice setting. To highlight the importance of communication, empathy, and signposting to further support. To encourage reflection on how practices can integrate mental health support into everyday culture.