WELL BEING
A Commitment to Growth, Improvement
I
have been a dentist since the early 1980s and have been involved with the Mis- souri Dental Well Being Program (WBP) since 2002.
I have assisted in the recovery of alcoholic and chemically dependent members of our extended dental family, including doctors, hygienists and all team members. The plight of the untreated addict is a grim one. To be a part of the recovery process has been a joyful experience that never grows old. My 13 years with the Well Being Program have been a privilege.
Recently Dr. Sokolowski, president of the MDA, announced in his Focus article that the mission statement of the Well Being Founda- tion has evolved and now reads: To promote a healthy dental professional, dental team and their families by providing education, resources and support. He explains the new statement shifts the WBP identity “from sickness-based to a mission of prevention and total health” and redirects focus on “helping all members succeed.”
With all due respect to our past efforts, I like the new direction in which Well Being is heading. While we still will do much to help those get treatment for addiction and sub- stance abuse, I think the change represents a commitment to growth and improvement. It also inspired me to reflect on my 13 years with the WB program and ask myself what things I would like changed or improved.
First, I would like more people to know we exist. Too often have we intervened to help an individual and find out they had not even heard of the Well Being Program. Ugh. That certainly explains why we received no call for help. We need to educate our extended
dental family about who we are and what we do, and what we do not do. It is never our intent to report struggling individuals to the Dental Board. We are here to help you with all of life’s difficult situations. Believe me; it is always wise to call us before the Dental Board calls you.
I imagine a day where the WBP is viewed as a trusted resource and people call for help before descending into the dark places where addiction leads.
Regarding total health, another thought occurred to me when I recently attended a
New Mission. New Logo.
To promote a healthy dental professional, dental team and their families by providing support.
retirement planning seminar targeted for professionals. As the debate raged on about that magic dollar amount one needs to comfortably retire, I sensed an imbalance of concern for healthy life choices as compared to investment strategies.
Seriously folks, without good health your retirement goals will not mean much! Recall the expression, “If you have your health, you have everything you need.” You may want more and that is great, but your health is clearly more important than your nest egg. If you need help dealing with barriers to your well being, please call us. With our new mis- sion, we are seeking to develop resources on a variety of wellness topics such as nutrition, ergonomics, stress, weight management and counseling services, to name a few.
I imagine a day where people invest as much in the health of their mind and body as they do their retirement portfolio.
The insightful Maya Angelou once acknowl- edged, “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” Well, the WBP has learned a lot and we know bet- ter. I say we start doing better.
How can you help? Join us. Spread the word. Support us with your donations. Help us help you and your dental family. The Well Being Program helps all members succeed for all the right reasons and we are just a confiden- tial phone call away. f
The above was written by “Dr. Mike.” Learn more about the Dental Well Being Foundation at
www.modental.org/dwbf or contact Paul Roberts,
paul@modentalmail.org.
For more info, contact
Paul Roberts at
paul@modentalmail.org or Rebecca A. Mowen at
wellbeing@modental.org
Now, you can give a donation to the Dental Well Being Foundation through an easy, online donation form at
www.modental.org/givedwbf.
ISSUE 6 | NOV/DEC 2015 | focus 31
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