ABSTRACT
In 2017, the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) created the Clinician Well-being Collaborative as response to epidemic levels of mental health issues including burnout, depression and suicide being experienced by clinicians across all health care disicplines.1-2 In 2014 it was suggested that the much-celebrated Triple Aim of health care could not be successful without a fourth aim that included improving the work life of clinicians and staff.3 Why, after so many decades is it still somewhat of a novel concept that those providing care need care and support for their own wellness? Perhaps more important than the lack of research on the mental health and well-being of oral health providers, is the lack of attention given to the mental health and well-being of women in the oral health care professions, particularly in dental hygiene. Danielle Rulli, RDH, MS, DHSc is a member of the Journal of Dental Hygiene Editorial Advisory Board and a clinical associate professor and Director, Graduate Dental Hygiene Program, Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.