MPS Foundation
Estimated read time: 3 mins
Dentists experience high levels of stress and are at risk of poor mental health and burnout. The World Dental Federation 2022 annual report describes how long hours, high emotional demands, and a high workload in dental practice can have an adverse impact on mental health.
Despite these recognised challenges, little is known about the wellbeing of dentists. The lack of research has limited our understanding of the risk factors contributing to poor psychological wellbeing in dentists, or the preventative and curative interventions that could be beneficial (Plessas, 2022).
To address this gap, the Thrive at Work study by Affinity Health at Work, sponsored by the MPS Foundation, has focused on developing an in-depth understanding of the work-related risks to health and wellbeing for dentists. The research aimed to understand what risks dentists are exposed to, whether these risks are different depending on where you work across the world, and what helps to protect and promote health and wellbeing among dentists.
The research consisted of a systematic literature review of existing research, followed by interviews with 15 dentists in six different countries, and a survey to reach a larger group of 422 dentists globally to understand the psychosocial risk factors to their wellbeing.
A systematic review of academic research revealed that there is very little peer-reviewed research examining the work environment and specifically the risk factors experienced by dentists. Importantly, there were no studies that tested the efficacy or impact of interventions to address work stress among the dental profession. This is a marked omission when considering comparisons of the evidence available to guide intervention and support in other healthcare professions such as nursing or doctors.
Patient relations were a dominant feature of the interviews. Dentists revealed that relationships with patients led to a broad range of both positive and negative wellbeing outcomes. Positive patient relationships provide dentists with energy and purpose, while, not surprisingly, negative patient relationships, high patient expectations and patient anxiety negatively impact dentist’ wellbeing. What was particularly notable was that dentists had little guidance or support available to them on how to manage this.
Dentists experience a high workload, and with most time spent seeing patients there is insufficient time to complete the administrative requirements of the job. This often leads to long hours and a lack of breaks during the working day. Dentists spoke to us about the long waiting lists, adding further pressure to work longer hours to see people in need.
Over half the dentists who responded to our survey did not have access to health and wellbeing support. We found no trends related to location, so rather than highlighting pockets of need, this is a broad challenge facing our international workforce.
Ultimately, the combination of high workload and high emotional demands lead to stress and burnout. Overall, this work generates new knowledge about the work-related risks to ill-health and calls for changes to the way work is designed and supported within dental practice.
The Thrive at Work study shines a light on the under-researched area of dentist wellbeing. There is a pressing need to address the work-related risks facing dentists and to develop strategies to prevent mental ill health and burnout among dentists.
The MPS Foundation has committed to fund the design and feasibility testing of a preventative intervention to support and protect dentist wellbeing. Using a co-design approach working with academics, practitioners, and dentists, this intervention will aim to address a gap in current provision.
‘Are you aware of the psychosocial risks to you and your colleagues? Do you know how to prevent psychosocial risks and take action in your own work environment and where to get support if you need it?’
To find out more about the new intervention or to get involved: https://www.affinityhealthatwork.com/mps-research-project-private-practice
Dr Annalene Weston, Dental Team Lead at Dental Protection Australia, recently spoke to the Thrive at Work team about their research, watch more below.
