Developing a social support network system to enhance mental and physical health.

A social network support system consists of a set of dynamic, ongoing relationships between the individual and significant others from one's immediate family, relatives, friends, work associates, or others. Through meaningful human interaction, these supportive individuals help meet a person's basic social needs by providing socioemotional aid (acceptance, affection, emotional understanding, empathy, and esteem), instrumental aid (advice, information, help with family or work responsibilities, financial aid), or both. This article provides an in-depth review of social support, explains the dynamics and importance of a viable social network system, and discusses its limitations. A number of selected topics receive special consideration: the social isolation of dentists, social support provided by one's spouse, some social aspects of female dentists, the individual's need for privacy, and personal space and loneliness.