Sir, I wrote to you in 2019 about the impact of mental health disorders amongst dental patients.1 With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the current Public Health Emergency, COVID-19, it is just as important as ever to also recognise and manage the mental wellbeing of professionals in healthcare.2 Such an unprecedented situation is understandably likely to trigger feelings of stress and anxiety.

Concerns over physical health, uncertainty over redeployment, and training and employment insecurities are just a few of the many difficulties that members of the dental and medical community are facing. Healthcare professionals are also challenged to find a balance between managing their own physical and mental health, and that of the patients they are treating.3

The WHO recognises the importance of healthcare workers employing positive coping strategies,2 whilst Public Health England guidance also outlines safe working recommendations, advising staff to regularly take breaks.4

The current level of mental health and emotional support available for National Health Service (NHS) staff, as they tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, seems to be on the rise. The NHS has launched a 'mental health hotline' for its staff,5 and there are also a number of free digital apps available to NHS workers until December 2020. These form part of the extensive support measures being put in place to deal with the consequences of COVID-19.

Whilst such resources are deeply valued during the ongoing crisis, my concern is how much support will be available to deal with the longer-term impacts of this pandemic? With all non-urgent elective care currently suspended, there will undoubtedly be increased pressure on the workload for professionals after COVID-19. We therefore need to consider the future consequences of this event for NHS staff, to ensure that we have a healthy workforce, both physically and mentally.3 This preparation will ensure high standards of patient care can be continued.