Strategies for Mental Resilience and the Science of Well-Being for Dental Professionals

A positive masterclass aimed at helping dentists and DCPs cope with common dental challenges, build a fulfilling dental career, and live optimally, both with patients and at home.

The course will be split into two main talks with Q&A for each session.

KEY SUBJECTS

• PRACTICAL RESILIENCE FOR DENTAL PROFESSIONALS
• THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS – STRESS, WELL-BEING, AND SELF-MASTERY

SPEAKERS

Raj Rattan MBE BDS MFGDP FFGDP Dip.MDE FICD FFLM MA

Dr Mahrukh Khwaja BDS, BSc (Psychology) MAPP PGCert (Aesthetic Dentistry)

CONTENT

PRACTICAL RESILIENCE FOR DENTAL PROFESSIONALS

This session will help dental professionals learn how to apply the science of well-being to manage complaints, navigate imposter syndrome, feel more self-confident, and prevent burnout. By the end of the course, you will be equipped with mind tools to help you flourish in your dental career and personal life.

The session will address the following key areas:

• How do I minimise complaints and manage complaints?
• How do I navigate imposter syndrome thoughts?
• How do I prevent burnout?
• How do I become more self-confident?

 Benefits for delegates:

• An in-depth understanding of the science of well-being, resilience and flourishing
• Practical knowledge to apply Positive Psychology
• A toolkit of evidence-based practices

Learning objectives

• Apply positive psychology and its role in prevention of negative well-being states, positive leadership and thriving as a dental professional
• Understand what resilience is and the evidenced based interventions that boost it
• Learn how to manage specific challenges faced by dental professionals, including patient complaints, imposter syndrome, loss of confidence and burnout
• Apply evidenced-based strategies when with patients and at home, including mindfulness, Compassion Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Training, strengths and mindset

This talk satisfies the GDC’s learning outcomes:

A – Effective communication with patients, the dental team, and others across dentistry, including when obtaining consent, dealing with complaints, and raising concerns when patients are at risk

B – Effective management of self, and effective management of others or effective work with others in the dental team, in the interests of patients at all times; providing constructive leadership where appropriate

D – Maintenance of skills, behaviours and attitudes which maintain patient confidence in you and the dental profession and put patients’ interests first

Dr Mahrukh Khwaja BDS, BSc (Psychology) MAPP PGCert (Aesthetic Dentistry)

Biography

Dr. Mahrukh Khwaja is a dentist, positive psychologist, accredited mindfulness teacher, and the founder of Mind Ninja, an award-winning wellness startup dedicated to improving mental health and resilience among dental professionals. With nothing of its kind currently available in the dental industry, she envisioned a system of support that, just like daily brushing and flossing, took a preventive maintenance approach to mental health. Drawing on the neuroscience of well-being, and positive psychology, she developed Mind Ninja as a solution that would help fellow dental professionals build mental resilience, foster connection and meaning, and thrive.

Mind Ninja’s comprehensive range of training, coaching, and wellness products, including the signature Mind Flossing Toolkit, have been implemented by a diverse range of organisations, including NHS Health England, Unilever, Colgate, King’s College London, Acteon, British Dental Association, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Dr. Khwaja has been named Top 50 in Dentistry three years in a row (2023, 2022 and 2021) by FMC for her work on Mental Health in Dentistry. She is also the author of the book ‘Resilience and Well-being for Dental Professionals’, published by Wiley-Blackwell. Dr Khwaja has been featured as a well-being expert for The Sun, Daily Express, Marie Claire, Conde Nast Travel and iNews. Connect with her on Instagram @mindninja.wellbeing or email her on mahrukh@mind-ninja.co.uk.

THE SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS – STRESS, WELL-BEING, AND SELF-MASTERY

People often misjudge what will make them happy. It’s not just about pleasure, but also about living a meaningful life. Raj will explore the psychological aspects of happiness and how these can be applied in everyday life. He will explore the difference between happiness and contentment. Raj will apply the lessons learnt over his long professional career and share his views on what it means to be a successful and happy dentist in today’s world. He will explore the impact of social media, how to manage micro-stress, and discuss how cognitive bias impacts our view of the world. Apart from dentistry, Raj has recently studied philosophy, enjoyed a portfolio career and is uniquely placed to discuss the notion of success and happiness from many different perspectives.

Learning objectives

• Understanding the root causes of stress
• Applying and recognising the 5 strategies to control stress
• Understanding resilience and antifragility – what does it mean and how do we achieve it?
• Rediscovering happiness – philosophical and research findings
• Applying the principles of self-mastery

This talk satisfies the GDC’s learning outcomes:

A – Effective communication with patients, the dental team, and others across dentistry, including when obtaining consent, dealing with complaints, and raising concerns when patients are at risk

B – Effective management of self, and effective management of others or effective work with others in the dental team, in the interests of patients at all times; providing constructive leadership where appropriate

D – Maintenance of skills, behaviours and attitudes which maintain patient confidence in you and the dental profession and put patients’ interests first

Raj Rattan MBE BDS MFGDP FFGDP Dip.MDE FICD FFLM

Biography

Raj Rattan’s portfolio career includes over 30 years’ clinical experience in general dental practice. He owned and operated a small practice group combining this with his involvement dental foundation training. Raj was a programme director for some 15 years before taking up the role of Strategic Associate Dean for foundation training at the London Deanery.  He has been an examiner for the FGDP and has been appointed an examiner for the faculty of forensic and legal medicine.

Raj has provided consultancy services to individuals and organisations including the NHS, Denplan, dental corporates and the Department of Health, where he has previously served as a Policy Adviser. He is the author/co-author of many textbooks on different aspects of general dental practice and has contributed articles to dental publications. He is well respected and popular international speaker. He worked a part-time dento-legal consultant at Dental Protection for many years before taking up his current role as Dental Director in 2016.