Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 3

The Resources and Why They Are Needed “The Healthy Workplace Matters website is meant to empower all members of the dental team to create a better work culture,” says Wells. “It provides resources to improve our knowledge, which allows us to effect positive change.” Working group members agree that dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dentists need to have access to information about workplace health because a healthy workplace is co-created by every member of the oral health team. “When all team members have the information, we can build the infrastructure necessary for exemplary teamwork,” says Dr. Hill. Healthy Workplace Matters Resources The Healthy Workplace Matters webpage is now available on the CDA Oasis website. Resources include an office poster, short videos, and links to external sources of information to help employers and the dental team participate in building a healthier workplace. The working group will add new resources as necessary. Resources provide information on: • respectful communication in the workplace • legal rights and related matters • physical well-being in the workplace (physical activity and healthy nutrition) • mental health and well- being in the workplace • strategies on how to create a healthier workplace • workplace safety and injury prevention To access the resources, visit: “Dental offices are private businesses so much of the responsibility for designing workplace processes and procedures falls squarely on the dentists, as owners,” says Brownlee. She says that dental assistants sometimes leave the profession altogether because of unhealthy work environments. “Having tools and supporting the effort to ensure a psychologically and physically safe workplace benefits everyone on the team.” Having tools and supporting the effort to ensure a psychologically and physically safe workplace benefits everyone on the team. oasisdiscussions.ca/healthy-workplace-matters N ews and E vents 26 | 2021 | Issue 3