Mental Health

Dental hygiene is a physically and emotionally demanding profession. Dental hygienists regularly manage workplace stress, difficult conversations, patient comfort and the pressure to maintain a positive, professional, and cheerful demeanour. These challenges can contribute to stress and burnout. Explore these resources to support your mental health and psychological well being at work.

Stress Management & Coping

• Breathing Techniques for Stress Release
• Mindfulness: Bringing the science of mindful living into dental hygiene
• YogaDentist: Stress Relief Using Yoga for the Dental Professional
• Benefits of Practicing Yoga
• Mental health at work

Burnout, Compassion Fatigue & Resilience

• Safeguards against burnout: Evaluate the emotional labor and compassion fatigue in dentistry
• Wellness, Burnout, and Resilience: Self-Care for Minority Dental Professionals
• Preventing Burnout

Healthy Boundaries & Work–Life Balance

• Setting healthy boundaries at work
• Strong Enough to Rest: Why Rest Is a Mental Health Issue for Women

Team Dynamics, Morale & Workplace Culture

• Boosting Morale in the Workplace: Dental Teamwork Makes the Dream Work, Right?

Counseling & Professional Mental Health Support

• CDHA’s Member & Family Assistance Program (Homewood Health)
• CAMH Mental Health Toolkit

Downloads & Links

• Healthy & Respectful Workplace Vision
• 2023 Healthy & Respectful Workplace Survey Results


• Additional Reading
• How 15 minutes of mental health hygiene can change your whole day
• You Are Here: Mindfulness for the Dental Hygienist by Lizelle Tucci, Oh Canada, Spring 2021

Additional Resource

Free Member Benefit

• CDHA’s Member & Family Assistance Program