Why February Feels So Hard in Dentistry (and What Actually Helps)

February is often the month when reality kicks in.

The optimism of January starts to fade, energy dips, and the pressure of clinical work, leadership, and life begins to feel heavier again. If that’s you, let me reassure you of something important: this isn’t a motivation problem - it’s a systems problem.

When demands stay high but our energy, focus, and support structures don’t evolve, even the most capable professionals start to feel stretched. That’s exactly why wellbeing can no longer sit on the sidelines of dentistry-  it has to be built into how we lead, work, and perform.

⭐ The NAIL-IT Experience Roadshow 2025

Before you read on, I want to flag something important -  especially if time is tight.

The NAIL-IT Experience is a one-day leadership and wellbeing experience designed for dentists and practice leaders who want to:

• Build sustainable performance, energy, and clarity -  not short-term motivation

• Lead teams more confidently in a high-pressure environment

• Master Optimal Performance - masgtering producitivity, happiness and balance together

• Reduce burnout without reducing ambition

📍 London (April) | Birmingham (May) | Manchester (June)
👉 Explore the NAIL-IT Experience Roadshow 

Now, here’s why this work matters more than ever.

The reality behind wellbeing in dentistry

In January, I presented at the Scientiifc Conference of The Chief Dental Officer on the data behind wellbeing in the workforce  and the message is clear: wellbeing is not a “nice to have”. It directly impacts performance, retention, patient care, and profitability.

Some sobering realities:

• Over 75% of dentists report managing significant patient anxiety, adding to emotional burden

• Up to 80% feel overburdened by workload, long hours, and complexity

• 63% report frequent burnout or exhaustion

• 42% show symptoms of depression and 44% anxiety

• Nearly 50% say job stress exceeds their ability to cope

• 83% of dentists and 84% of dental nurses report working while unwell

From a business and workforce perspective:

• Dentistry faces around 30% staff turnover, compared with a national average of ~18–20%

• 76% of practices experienced staff turnover in 2023

• 58% of dentists have considered leaving or changing careers

• 39% of dental nurses are considering leaving within two years

And yet, the evidence for change is compelling:

• Gallup: Engaged teams show 21% higher productivity and 59% lower turnover

• WHO / Deloitte: Every £1 invested in mental health support delivers £4–£4.70 ROI

• Harvard Business Review: Organisations investing in wellbeing outperform peers by ~25% in profit

This isn’t about resilience training alone. It’s about creating environments where people can perform, stay, and thrive.

Wellbeing in action: January highlights

This month, I had the privilege of seeing these principles in action.

Dental Mums Network – REVIVE Day
I delivered a workshop on Creating Calm in the Chaos, focusing on how calm isn’t about removing stress, but about building stability within it. We explored the NAIL-IT Ssytem and how each pillar can be geared towards stress reduction as well as maximising potential and drive.

Habit Change That Sticks
We also had articles published in Dentistry and Private Dentistry on maintaining habits beyond January. Using the GREAT SCORER model from the NAIL-IT System, we explored why habit change fails, and how to design habits that actually last when motivation fades.

Podcast conversations worth catching up on

January also brought two brilliant podcast conversations:

• George Ceuca on social media, Instagram strategy, and modern marketing

• Kunal Thakker, CEO of The Tooth Booth, on navigating change, leadership, and growth

Both conversations reinforced a common theme: dentistry is changing  and leadership must evolve with it.

Why the NAIL-IT Experience exists

All of this  - the data, the conversations, the lived experience — - led us to design the NAIL-IT Experience Roadshow.

This isn’t a lecture. It’s a practical, energising day focused on:

• Managing energy, not just time

• Leading with clarity and emotional intelligence

• Embedding wellbeing into leadership, culture, and performance

• Leaving with tools you can use immediately -  clinically, professionally and personally.  

• If you want more - this day will show you how to get it.

If February feels heavy, this is your opportunity to reset, refocus, and move forward with confidence.

📍 London (April) | Birmingham (May) | Manchester (June)
👉 Find out more about the NAIL-IT Experience 

February doesn’t require you to push harder.
It invites you to put the right foundations in place.

Calm, clarity, and capacity are not personality traits  - they are trainable skills. And when we get them right, everything else becomes easier.

Warmest wishes,

Dr Rana Al-Falaki
Founder, NAIL-IT Leadership & BREATHE