Why Stress Hits Dentists So Hard Dentistry isn’t just physically demanding, it’s emotionally and neurologically expensive. High-precision work, time constraints and a focus on outcomes create fertile ground for chronic stress. Add in the emotional toll of patient anxiety, administrative overload and the expectations of perfection, and you’ve got a recipe for burnout. Physiologically, the consequences are also serious. Chronic stress floods the body with cortisol and triggers the release of inflammatory cytokines. These compromise immune function and cross into the brain, contributing to neuroinflammation, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. “When the prefrontal cortex is compromised, you see poor concentration, impulsivity, loss of emotional control, even moral fatigue,” explains Dr. Yont. “It’s not weakness, it’s biology.” In the dental clinic, this might look like mental fog, reduced patience with staff, increased clinical errors or emotional detachment. The problem isn’t just emotional, it’s neurophysiological. SMART works to reverse this process by strengthening top-down processing—restoring the regulatory function of the brain and reducing the grip of reactive stress circuits. Rediscovering Joy in Practice One of the program’s most powerful outcomes is the restoration of agency. Dentists often feel stuck, trapped in a system that seems to demand self-sacrifice. But SMART can reframe that narrative. Participants often report sleeping better, feeling less irritable, enjoying work more, and reconnecting with the sense of purpose that brought them to dentistry in the first place. “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” Dr. Yont reminds participants. “When we tend to our own regulation, we become better clinicians, leaders and people.” The SMART framework isn’t just a temporary fix. It’s a longterm shift in how practitioners relate to themselves, their work and the stressors that comes with it. Taking the First Step Dr. Yont delivers SMART training through live and recorded online courses, tailored for dental professionals. The format typically spans multiple weeks to give participants time to internalize the material and begin practising the techniques in day-to-day activities. She also offers seasonal webinars, in office workshops, provides one-on-one coaching for those seeking deeper support and just published a book The Stress Solution available on popular platforms. Dentistry will always come with pressure. But suffering under that pressure doesn’t have to be the norm. The SMART Program offers a structured pathway to metabolize stress, protect your brain, and reclaim your well-being. Dr. Yont says it’s not just self-care fluff, it’s neurological hygiene. “You would never ignore a decaying molar, so don’t ignore chronic stress either. It’s just as destructive and just as treatable,” she says. How SMART Changes Practise from the Inside Out Without a SMART approach, a day at the clinic with a tightfitting crown, an upset patient, an absent assistant and a 20-minute delay would lead to mounting stress and frustration. SMART helps to mitigate these stressors. You feel a wave of stress, but instead of pushing it down, you take three deep diaphragmatic breaths. You ground your feet. Recognizing the familiar negative self-talk (“Why is this always happening to me?”) you consciously reframe it with a more empowering thought: “This is difficult, but I have the tools and ability to navigate it.” Nothing external has changed. But internally, the stress chemistry has shifted. “These aren’t big, dramatic interventions,” says Dr. Yont. “They’re micro-adjustments. But they change everything.” Dentistry will always come with pressure. But suffering under that pressure doesn’t have to be the norm. Watch an interview with Dr. Yont on CDA Oasis at: bit.ly/4nvmGX2 The Herbert Benson MD Course in Mind Body Medicine: mindbody.hmscme.com Learn more about the SMART program at: mindbodyteacher.com 36 | 2025 | Issue 5 Supporting Your Practice
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