The stressors of the dental profession can start in the first year of a student’s dental education. Tufts University of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) incorporates the teaching of mind-body evidence-based self-regulation and coping skills in the curriculum to help students manage that stress. The skills we teach support our students from the start of dental school, for the duration of their training, and can be used throughout their careers.
Student Wellness Resources
Student Advisory & Health Administration (SAHA)
This administrative body manages the collection of legally required health records, provides guidance related to health, disability, and dental insurance, and performs other health administration services on the Boston Health Sciences Campus.
Office of Student Wellness
The Office of Student Wellness (OSW) provides integrated wellness programs, services, and resources to all Boston Health Sciences students at Tufts University.
Health & Mental Health Resources
Your gateway to basic health care and 24/7 mental health counseling access.
Support for Trauma
We provide free, confidential, culturally supportive, and trauma-informed support to all Tufts students impacted by sexual misconduct/harm and to create respect, consent, and community accountability.
Fitness and Recreation
All registered Boston Campus students are eligible to use the fitness center with no fee required. The Medford campus also has a fitness center you can use.
Food Pantry
For students facing food insecurity, the pantry offers staple and single-serve items.
Why Health and Wellness Matter
The ultimate goal of dental health care providers is to deliver excellent and compassionate care to their patients. This is achieved by using competent clinical and technical skills, as well as sensitive communication skills. The profession of dentistry can be stressful, however, which, when not managed properly in the clinical environment, can have a negative impact on the provider and the provider’s ability to deliver the highest standard of patient care.
The practices of meditation and yoga cultivate conscious awareness and have been proven to reduce stress. Knowledge of these practices help our students manage the stress they incur from their rigorous academic studies and demanding clinical requirements. We value our students’ mental and physical health, and our commitment to our wellness curriculum aims to decrease burnout and increase resilience. We believe this will impact them beyond their dental education and serve them as they move on to their personal lives and with their commitment to patient care.
There will always be hard days so that’s why the mindfulness techniques we learn are pretty valuable for the control and self-discipline that it affords.
TUSDM Wellness Committee
The TUSDM Wellness Committee has dedicated much time into understanding the importance of physical and mental health of the students, faculty, and staff. In an effort to support this understanding, we have integrated health and wellness into the curriculum in numerous ways.
In the classroom, first-year students are introduced to the importance of a balanced school, social, and home schedule.
Furthermore, the students are provided with lectures as well as an interactive opportunity to engage in learning the practice of meditation. Having this foundation, students can carry these learned practices throughout their time in the classroom and during clinic.
Upon entering clinic, the committee plans to implement a pre-appointment routine, similar to studying before and exam or stretching before a game, that will consist of a quick overall body centering to allow the clinic to perform optimally.
Understanding the demands of dental school from the perspective of the student, faculty, and staff, the practice of weekly meditation and yoga sessions further cements our commitment at TUSDM to provide a well-rounded, all-encompassing environment for a student to learn and faculty and staff to grow.
Overall, integrating health and wellness into the curriculum allows for sustained, healthy growth of the TUSDM community and provides a means for the best patient care possible.
Wellness Committee Mission Statement
The TUSDM Wellness Committee is a passionate group of students, faculty and staff committed to developing an environment of mind-body wellness at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.
Our committee is dedicated to building and supporting wellness and stress management skills in the dental school curriculum centered on supporting our students throughout their years of training.
This environment of mind-body wellness empowers a healthy, balanced, and inspired community of students, as well as faculty and staff with resources that promote awareness of one’s wellbeing and the wellbeing of those we serve.
This culture of wellness that was envisioned and deliberately created is a unique and revolutionary asset to dental education as it ultimately facilitates the excellent patient care our TUSDM institution provides.
TUSDM Mind-Body Wellness Canvas Page
Accessible to TUSDM students, faculty, and staff, this Canvas page is a collaborative effort of the Wellness Committee student representatives and Dr. Pastan to provide a health and wellness hub for our TUSDM community. On this page you will find a compilation of wellness resources that span mental and physical health, nutrition, inspirational offerings, and music that will be updated on a monthly basis. Access the Health and Wellness Hub.
Student Wellness Club
The culture of health and wellness at TUSDM is an integral part of the curriculum. Tufts students are actively encouraged to seek a balanced life, a goal that is not widely prioritized in dental education. The Health and Wellness Club aims to supplement the school’s support by providing TUSDM students with the tools to take better care of themselves and make wellness not just an activity, but a lifestyle. The club organizes classes, such as spinning, dance, yoga, or bootcamps. Students are welcome to share and communicate any helpful tips they have such as whether they found a new juice bar or a discovered free pass to attend class at a local gym. Tufts is paving the way for a shift in how health is prioritized by dental students. Our hope is that we will inspire them to follow suit.
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