Suicide awareness posters boost staff knowledge in UK dental clinics
Dental staff and students lack awareness of suicide support resources; practical posters increase visibility but require paired training.
Low awareness of mental health resources in dental settings
A Scottish dental hospital conducted a quality improvement project to assess how many staff, students and patients knew about suicide awareness signposting resources (SASRs). Initial findings showed that only 20% of dental staff and 10% of students were aware of where to find any resources, despite 90% believing they would be useful. Patients had similarly limited knowledge. Barriers included resources buried in emails or difficult-to-navigate intranet sites, making them inaccessible to those who needed them most.
Implementing the suicide? help! poster and resource sheet
Using a staged improvement methodology, researchers tested different formats with stakeholders and selected the 'suicide? help!' poster and resource sheet based on feedback. Participants favoured the poster for its discretion and potential placement in private areas like toilets. The resources were displayed across clinic areas for six months, then awareness was reassessed. Staff awareness increased to 80%, patient awareness to 60%, and student awareness to 30%, all exceeding the target improvement of 20% across groups. The poster's discrete design meant it could be used without stigma or judgment, addressing concerns about social acceptability.
Signposting works best alongside training and education
The study found that while awareness increased, resources alone do not solve suicide prevention. Most dental staff and students remained hesitant about initiating conversations about mental health, citing lack of training and low confidence in managing such disclosures. Patients were generally receptive to the idea of dentists asking about mental health as part of routine care, with 80% willing to answer relevant questions. The authors recommend embedding suicide prevention education into undergraduate and postgraduate dental curricula, sustaining stakeholder involvement in resource review, and displaying materials in high-traffic areas including student communal spaces to reach groups with lower awareness.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of UK dental staff knew where to find suicide awareness resources before the project?
Only 20% of staff were aware of where to find suicide awareness signposting resources in the initial assessment, despite 90% believing such resources would be useful. Students had even lower awareness at 10%.
Which format of suicide awareness resource worked best in dental clinics?
The poster format was most popular across staff, students and patients because it could be displayed discreetly in private spaces like toilets without stigma. Participants appreciated that the poster was accessible and could be used without judgment.
How much did awareness of suicide resources increase after implementation?
Staff awareness increased to 80%, patient awareness to 60%, and student awareness to 30% after six months of displaying the 'suicide? help!' poster and resource sheet, exceeding the target improvement of 20% across all groups.
Are suicide awareness resources enough on their own to prevent suicide in dental practice?
No. The study concluded that signposting resources are not a standalone solution but work best when combined with training, education and professional development in how to discuss mental health with patients.
What barriers did dental professionals cite for not discussing mental health with patients?
Lack of training, low perceived capability, fear of offending patients, and uncertainty about professional boundaries were the main barriers. This highlights the need for formal education in undergraduate and postgraduate dental curricula.
