Thalia Kostopoulou DDS, MSc, Healthcare Mentor<\/p>\n
Recent studies have shown that dentists nowadays are subject to a host of stress-related physical and emotional issues.<\/p>\n
These extremely worrying issues include cardiovascular disease, ulcers, colitis, hypertension, back pain, eye fatigue, personal relationship problems, alcoholism, substance abuse, depression and suicidal tendencies.<\/p>\n
* Suicide attempt rates among dentists are twice the general polulation\u2019s rate and almost three times higher than those of other health professionals.<\/p>\n
* Mental illness is the tenth most frequent health issue in the general population; among dentists is the third.<\/p>\n
* Coronary heart disease and high blood pressure account for 25% of the most prevalent diseases in dentists, as opposed to the general population.<\/p>\n
* Dentists suffer from psychoneurotic disorders at a rate of two and a half higher than other health experts.<\/p>\n
* Stress-related cardiovascular disease is the most deadly disease among dentists.<\/p>\n
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Scientific evidence points to the fact that our profession is prone to many diseases. Let’s find out what causes stress in our practice and try to find the solution.<\/p>\n
Orthodontist, lecturer at the University of Toronto, and former president of the Ontario Orthodontic Association Dr Randy Lang cites the following as causes of stress in dentists\u2019 everyday lives:<\/p>\n
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The average dentist spends most of their life in a confimed, sometimes unlit practice. No matter the space available, it remains a confinement.<\/p>\n
The dentist\u2019s work is complicated, meticulous and being carried out in a static and anatomically uncomfortable manner that restricts proper blood circulation in the body. This results in back pain, circulatory disorders, or swollen limbs. This is the reason most dentists feel so exhausted at the end of any given workday.<\/p>\n
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Most dentists practise their profession on their own. Most dentists practise their profession on their own. As a consequence, they are rarely given the opportunity to share and solve problems with their peers, as other professionals do. This issue is likely exacerbated by the fact that dentists tend to exhibit competitive tendencies towards colleagues due to the surplus of dental school graduates.<\/p>\n
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Perfectionism is part of the psychological profile of dentists. It is a trait cultivated in university. In reality though, despite the dentist\u2019s best efforts at advice, admonition, and rehabilitation, there will be instances of imperfection, only to be worsened by the patient\u2019s negligence.<\/p>\n
Opening a fully equipped with state of the art tools and machines clinic requires a large capital, and that\u2019s without even adding the cost of studies. Such a situation brings to the surface feelings of uncertainty and insecurity. From day one, dentists nowadays consider rest a luxury, resulting in serious health hazards, most notably fatigue and emotional\/psychological collapse. <\/p>\n
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An integral part of the dentist’s daily routine is the constant effort to keep appointments according to schedule. In combination with frequent and unavoidable delays and emergencies, this is one of the main sources of dentists\u2019 performance stress.<\/p>\n
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Compromises in the treatment plan forced by objective or subjective difficulties on part of the patients are a source of frustration and self-denial for every doctor who aims to provide their services to the best of their abilities.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\n The daily pressure of managing fearful and anxious patients can prove to be devastating for the dentist. Dentists\u2019 elevated heart rate and high blood pressure are closely related to their patients\u2019 emotional stress.<\/p>\n Research shows that dentists share certain common psychological traits. The following are some of these:<\/p>\n These personality traits exacerbate stress and anxiety issues in the dentist\u2019s everyday life, with detrimental effects on their physical and mental health.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As is the case in every profession, the quest for complete elimination of stress is meaningless. There are, however, ways to manage it and make a harmonious living through our profession, reducing the physical and emotional problems it causes.<\/p>\n According to Dr Randy Lang, the key to successful stress management is to first recognise the onset of stress and then understand its roots. Once the causes are identified and understood, we can take the preventative measures necessary.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nPatient stress<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The dentist\u2019s personality<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Stress management <\/strong><\/h3>\n