CDA Essentials 2014 • Volume 1 • Issue 5 - page 37

37 Volume1 Issue5 |
Supporting Your Practice
MAP isoneof Canada’smost progressive
and inclusiveemployeeassistance
programs—all at nocost todentists.
Twenty-four hours aday, 365days ayear,
youhaveaccess tocertifiedcounselors
whocan immediatelyprovide short-term
guidance. If problemspersist or additional
and longer-term support is required, your
MAP counselor can refer you toa relevant
healthprofessional for anappointment,
scheduledat a time that is convenient for
you.
Members can simplyphoneor email,
reference the MAP program fromCDSPI,
andaccesspersonalized, expert advice
regardingpersonal orprofessional stressors,
addictions, relationshipworries, disabilities
and so forth. Alongwithpsychologists,
physicians, psychiatrists, counselors,
familyexperts, naturopaths andaddiction
specialists, you’ll beable to reachout to
qualifiednutritionists,motivational trainers,
financial specialists and lawyers.
Perhapsoneof your children isgoing
througha “phase” that caught youoff
guard? MAP providesplentyof guidance,
includinghelping teens find the right
career path, andadvisingyour childon
how to succeed socially, developeffective
studyhabitsor copewith learning
disabilities. Nomatterwhat agegroupyour
kids fall into (toddlers andyounger children,
teens, the “almost adults”), thechildexperts
at MAP have theanswers and solutions for
youand them.
Youcanalsocontact MAP becauseyou
want to learnmoreabout lifestylechoices
suchasgeneral health, dieting, relaxation
andphysical fitness, andwould like toavoid
theplentifulmisinformationon theweb.
MAP includes anonline “classroom”
componentwhereyoucan learnat your
own speedandconvenience regarding
how to stop smoking,manageyour stress
level, handlea separationor divorce,
andaddressother important situations.
Simplyaccess the MAP websiteat
workhealthlife.com tofind thehelpand
support youneed.
“There isnoneed to feel discomfort or
shame in reachingout for help,” saysDr.
CarlosQuiñonez, assistant professor and
programdirector at theUniversityof
Toronto facultyof dentistry. Aprogram
suchas MAP, Dr. Quiñonez advises, “is a
great resource that can reallyhelpyou.
It’s anopportunity thatwe shouldall
takeadvantageof. Adentist’s jobcanbe
really stressful becauseyou’re responsible
for other individuals’ healthandwell-
being. Add to that themanychallenges
of runningapractice, interactingwith
employees andpatients andyour everyday
family responsibilities, andyou’vegot one
verydemanding lifeandcareer.”
Dr. Quiñonezeducateshis studentson
thephysical strainsof dentistry—a topic
onwhich MAP experts receive specific
training. “Dentistrycanbe reallyhard
on thebody,” saysDr. Quiñonez. “We’re
hearingaboutmoredentistswith tinnitus
andcarpel tunnel syndromealongwith the
usual backproblems, neckand limbpains
andother ailments that come from this
physically taxingoccupation.”
“Yes, it might feel awkward making that
initial call,” acknowledges Dr. Quiñonez,
“but do it. People come to dentists every
day for care and support; we deserve the
same service, compassion and assistance
whenweare inneed.” a
ArticlebyF.MichahRynor
Mr. Rynor is a freelancewriter.
CDSPI,anon-profitorganization
established in1959,provides
insurance, investmentandother
programsmeetingthespecific
needsoftheCanadiandental
profession.
Shepelloffersclientsresearch-
based information,professional
supportandeducationonwork,
lifeandhealthchallenges.
ContactMAP
Byphone: 1-800-268-5211
(Let them know it’s the
MAPprogram fromCDSPI.)
For thehearing impaired:
TTY: 1-800-363-6270
Online: workhealthlife.com
(Enter “CDSPI” in the
“Employer” field.)
Mobile: download the
MyEAPapp fromyour
app store, or use the
QRcodebelow:
People come todentists everyday for care and support;
we deserve the same service, compassionandassistance
whenwe are inneed.
MAP
Someprovincial dental
associationsoffer healthand
wellnessprograms for their
members.MAP ismeant to
complement theseprograms.