Dentistry and Depression: Descriptions and Insights

Abstract

The practice of dentistry is a highly stressful profession. Dentistry’s stressors usually center on poor management of time and an overloaded work schedule. Further difficulties in dentistry include job dissatisfaction, uncooperative or anxious patients, and governmental regulations. Moreover, there is a seemingly constant striving for technical perfection in clinical dentistry. Questions about the etiology and possible sequelae of psychological factors of dental practice are discussed: are elevated stress levels inherent in the practice of the dental profession? Are reactions to the stressors of dentistry due to personality factors of people who are attracted to the profession? Are these personality qualities that are significantly found in the dental profession consistent with any psychological or psychiatric conditions? What are psychological qualities that make good dentists but may be precursors to mental symptomology (i.e., factors like checking and meticulous work habits)?

Keywords: Depression, dentistry, dental practice, mental health, prevention

Cite this Article

Flaer Paul J, Badri Sepideh.Dentistry and depression: Descriptions and insights. Research and Reviews: Journal of Dentistry. 2015; 6(3): 8–12p.