Knowing where to go: assessing the availability and suitability of suicide awareness signposting resources on dental outpatient clinics

TY - JOUR

T1 - Knowing where to go

T2 - assessing the availability and suitability of suicide awareness signposting resources on dental outpatient clinics

AU - Mackie, Christopher S.

AU - Kilgariff, Julie K.

AU - Sevier-Guy, Lindsay-Jo

N1 - Copyright: © The Author(s) 2026.

PY - 2026/4/17

Y1 - 2026/4/17

N2 - Aims: Suicide remains a leading cause of preventable death in the UK, with national strategies calling for greater integration of suicide prevention into healthcare settings. Dental teams may encounter patients experiencing psychological distress, yet awareness and use of suicide awareness signposting resources (SASRs) remain limited. This quality improvement project aimed to assess the availability and suitability of SASRs for adult patients, and to implement an acceptable resource using stakeholder-guided decision-making.Methods: Using Model for Improvement methodology, three plan-do-study-act cycles were undertaken. Across each cycle, 30 participants (staff, students, and patients) were recruited. Questionnaires assessed awareness and attitudes towards SASRs, with feedback used to inform the implementation of the ‘suicide? help!' poster and resource sheet.Results: Initial awareness of SASRs was low, despite broad support for their use. Following implementation of the resource, awareness increased across all groups: 80% of staff, 60% of patients, and 30% of students reported being aware of SASRs. The poster format was especially well received due to its discretion and accessibility.Conclusions: SASRs are not a standalone solution but can contribute meaningfully to suicide prevention in dental settings when integrated into a wider system of training, education and stakeholder involvement.

AB - Aims: Suicide remains a leading cause of preventable death in the UK, with national strategies calling for greater integration of suicide prevention into healthcare settings. Dental teams may encounter patients experiencing psychological distress, yet awareness and use of suicide awareness signposting resources (SASRs) remain limited. This quality improvement project aimed to assess the availability and suitability of SASRs for adult patients, and to implement an acceptable resource using stakeholder-guided decision-making.Methods: Using Model for Improvement methodology, three plan-do-study-act cycles were undertaken. Across each cycle, 30 participants (staff, students, and patients) were recruited. Questionnaires assessed awareness and attitudes towards SASRs, with feedback used to inform the implementation of the ‘suicide? help!' poster and resource sheet.Results: Initial awareness of SASRs was low, despite broad support for their use. Following implementation of the resource, awareness increased across all groups: 80% of staff, 60% of patients, and 30% of students reported being aware of SASRs. The poster format was especially well received due to its discretion and accessibility.Conclusions: SASRs are not a standalone solution but can contribute meaningfully to suicide prevention in dental settings when integrated into a wider system of training, education and stakeholder involvement.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105035911710

U2 - 10.1038/s41415-026-9541-x

DO - 10.1038/s41415-026-9541-x

M3 - Article

C2 - 41998417

SN - 0007-0610

JO - British Dental Journal

JF - British Dental Journal

ER -