Guilt is a normal response to leaving NHS dentistry behind – Josie Hutchings offers some advice for dentists wrestling with their consciences.
With dental services taking up just over a page in the government’s recently published 10-year plan for the NHS, its future may not be bright. It’s understandable that dentists may want to move away from offering NHS dental services. However, despite many of the pros outweighing the cons of such a move, guilt prevents them from doing so.
Dentistry is more than simply a job for many dentists; it’s a vocation. Some view providing NHS dental treatment as a public service, or a way to contribute to their community. However, the demands of the NHS dental contract, rising costs and additional tax burdens have left many clinicians suffering burnout and craving greater autonomy.
Yet, despite knowing that a move to private dentistry would benefit them and their business, the guilt they feel at the prospect of leaving the NHS inhibits them from taking that step. Concern they would be abandoning their values, or their patients overrides all other considerations. There are two sides to every coin, and so it might be of benefit for them to look at the picture on the other side.
It’s an oft-used cliché that you can’t pour from an empty cup and so a dentist who’s experiencing burnout, despite the best of intentions, will not be able to offer their best version of themself to their patients. The demands of UDA targets push many dentists to their limits and beyond. So, stepping away from NHS dentistry can be a step toward preserving your wellbeing and allowing you to continue to provide high-quality care.
Here are some suggestions that may help to overcome the guilt associated with leaving the NHS.
Accept that guilt is a natural response
Feeling guilty about leaving shows how much you care about your patients. It’s likely you feel responsible for them too. This is commendable as it’s a sign of your integrity. However, the government is responsible for NHS dental services, not you. You can’t fix a broken system on your own so, moving to private practice is not a reason to punish yourself.
Try reframing guilt as a sign that you care deeply about your work. Instead of being critical, show yourself some compassion.
Reflect on your reasons for leaving
Take stock of the circumstances that led you to feel it was time to leave. It may have been the relentless treadmill involved in delivering your contracted UDAs. Perhaps it was the lack of autonomy or the bureaucracy associated with an NHS contract. Maybe you just couldn’t make things work financially anymore. These are all valid reasons for deciding to hand back an NHS dental contract and may all have been having an adverse effect upon your mental and physical health.
Some dentists see leaving the NHS as a failure but that’s far from the truth. It’s the not-fit-for-purpose contract that has failed NHS dentists, leaving them to make a difficult but necessary choice to protect themselves, their businesses and their careers. Try writing down your reasons to help clarify your thinking and reinforce that your choice has been thoughtful and justified.
Understand the system is flawed
We’re all aware of the pressures the NHS dental system has faced in recent years, especially post-pandemic. Underfunding, recruitment problems and falling FTE (full-time equivalent) have all contributed to a system buckling under the weight of patient demand. Many dentists feel they are being asked to do more with less, often at the expense of their own wellbeing.
Recognising that these challenges are intrinsic to the system, and not of your making, can help assuage guilt. You didn’t create the conditions that led to you wanting to leave NHS dentistry, and you alone cannot fix them. What you can do is choose a path that allows you to not just survive, but thrive.
Stay connected to your values
Leaving the NHS doesn’t mean abandoning your commitment to patient care. There are countless dentists who transition to private practice or mixed models who continue to find ways to serve their communities.
Ironically, as a private dentist you’ll probably have more opportunities to support patients in need as you’ll no longer be obliged to collect the NHS patient charge. You will be free to charge as much (or as little) as you choose for your services. This will mean you can offer treatments pro bono, if you like.
You are also likely to have more time as a private dentist, leaving you open to volunteering or outreach opportunities. The possibilities to give back to your community are many and varied. As a private dentist, it’s still possible to stay connected to your values and find meaning and purpose in what you do.
Talk to others who’ve made the move
Thousands of dentists have made the same decision and faced similar emotional hurdles so, you’re not alone. Connecting with others who have faced the same sorts of dilemmas as you can provide reassurance and practical advice. You can seek out contacts through professional networks, online forums, or local study groups. Alternatively, if you’re already speaking to a dental membership plan provider about making the move, they might be able to put you in touch with someone in your area who’s already transitioned.
Speaking to others about their experience of leaving NHS dentistry can help normalise your experience and offer insights into how they’ve found fulfilment outside the NHS. Shared experiences can be a powerful way to allay uncertainty and guilt.
Acknowledge your courage
Choosing to hand back an NHS dental contract is probably one of the biggest decisions you will make in your career. It’s much easier to stay in a familiar role out of fear or a sense of obligation. Making the choice to leave and prioritise your own and your practice’s wellbeing is a brave step to take.
Give yourself credit for acting out of self-respect to achieve professional growth. Far from turning your back on your patients, you’re ensuring you can continue to care for them in a sustainable and fulfilling way. Isn’t that something you and they deserve?
Leaving the NHS is not a betrayal, it’s merely a transition. Dentistry is a caring profession so there’s bound to be emotion tied up in how you deliver your dentistry to your patients and so, it’s understandable that deciding whether to leave the NHS will stir up all sorts of feelings, including guilt.
By acknowledging why you’re making the move and staying true to your values, you can let go of guilt and look forward to the next chapter of your career with confidence and clarity.
If you’re considering your options away from the NHS and are looking for a plan provider who will hold your hand through the process at a pace that’s right for you, you can start the conversation with Practice Plan today by calling 01691 684165 or to book your one-to-one NHS to private conversation at a date and time that suits you, just visit practiceplan.co.uk/nhsvirtual.
If you’d like to find out more about introducing a plan, and how Practice Plan can help you, visit practiceplan.co.uk/nhs.
This article is sponsored by Practice Plan.
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