Mental health IN Dental SETtings U.K. Project (MINDSET U.K.)
The MINDSET U.K. Project is a collaborative project being undertaken by the UK dental team mental health research and implementation group, comprising of experts in mental health and dentistry from across the UK. The aim of the current study is to evaluate current levels of burnout, depressed mood, experienced trauma and preparedness to provide quality care in dental teams. The project builds on CAREER which looked at the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic upon the mental health of those working in primary care dental teams in Scotland.
Current Status
Recruitment and data collection are complete. Articles are in the process of being published in the BDJ Mental Health collection
Publications
Knights, J., Batty, T., Mills, I. et al. (2024) Bearing the brunt: an exploration of the mental health and wellbeing of dental practice managers and receptionists in UK dental workplaces. Br Dent J.
Witton, R., Knights, J., Ellwood, F. et al. (2025) Same difference: a qualitative exploration of stressors experienced by dental team members across the UK. Br Dent J.
Chief Investigators
Scotland: Jennifer Knights, NHS Education for Scotland
England: Professor Tim Newton, University of Kings College London
Northern Ireland: Michael Donaldson, Health and Social Care Northern Ireland
Wales: Dr Ilona Johnson, Public Health Wales
Co-Investigators
Professor Jan Clarkson, NHS Education for Scotland
Laura Crawford, Public Health Agency Northern Ireland
Fiona Ellwood BEM, Society of British Dental Nurses, and Co-Chair of the Mental Health in Dentistry Working Group
Professor Gerry Humphris, University of St Andrews
Andrew Leitch, NHS Education for Scotland
Roz McMullan, Chair of the Probing Stress in Dentistry, Northern Ireland, and Co-Chair of the Mental Health in Dentistry Working Group
Dr Ian Mills, University of Plymouth
Professor Robert Witton, University of Plymouth
Dr Linda Young, NHS Education for Scotland
Contact
Jennifer Knights
Specialist Research Lead (Dental)
NHS Education for Scotland
Email: Jennifer.Knights@nhs.scot