ADA extends Well-Being Index to dental team members

Free tool evaluates users’ risk of mental distress

In an effort to support the mental well-being of all dental professionals, the American Dental Association is expanding free access to the Well-Being Index to dental team members and nonmember dentists.

The ADA-licensed version of the index — an anonymous, validated assessment and measurement tool developed by Mayo Clinic to address clinician distress and well-being — was already available to ADA member dentists and dental students.

“As dentists and dental team members, making people healthy is a purpose-driven profession. The practice of dentistry, however, can at times be challenging,” said Shane Ricci, D.D.S., chair of the ADA Council on Dental Practice. “We know from the ADA Council on Communications’ 2024 Trend Report that 82% of dentists reported feeling major stress and career burnout. The ADA has used the Well-Being Index since 2022 when we piloted the tool with our wellness ambassadors. Since then, we expanded use of the index to every member. Knowing that dental team members also experience mental health and well-being conditions, the Council on Dental Practice felt it was important to further expand the index to all dentists, students and dental team members.”

The Well-Being Index is used by hundreds of health care organizations and includes nine questions evaluating users’ risk of fatigue, depression, burnout and anxiety. The ADA-licensed version directly connects participants to resources from the ADA and some state dental associations. Users can continue to take the index at a selected frequency and reference results on their own personal dashboard.

To access the index and other wellness-related resources from the ADA, visit ADA.org/wellness.