Dentists working conditions – factors associated with perceived workload

Abstract

Background

Dentists are often exposed to occupational health hazards such as stress, high workload, and ergonomic and mental strain. However, there are limited studies focussing on occupational health and factors associated with working conditions. The aim of this study was to identify possible gender differences and factors associated with a high workload.

Method

The study population comprised of 187 dentists (123 women and 64 men) who had been working between 5 and 12 years. All participants completed a questionnaire regarding perceived workload and different working conditions. In the logistic regression analyses, gender and employment (employee or employer/manger), influence over work, social support, ergonomics, and working hours were used as independent covariates.

Results

Poor satisfaction with ergonomic conditions and low influence on the work situation were reported by 40 and 47% of the participants, respectively. Female dentists were more often employees, reported lower influence over work situation, and more often worked part-time compared to male dentists. Those who reported a high workload significantly more often experienced that they had low influence over work, low levels of social support, and were not satisfied with ergonomic working conditions.

Conclusion

Dentists with low influence over work, low levels of social support, and who were unsatisfied with the ergonomic conditions reported higher levels of workload. The dentists experienced a similar workload, regardless of employment and gender. Preventive actions at the workplace in order to maintain a moderate workload promote both individual and organizational measures, to minimize the risk of poor occupational health.

Keywords:

• Ergonomics
• gender
• influence over work
• social support
• working conditions

Compliance with ethical standards

Participation in this study was entirely voluntary and all subjects gave their informed consent. Survey responses and results are processed so that unauthorized persons cannot access them.

Acknowledgements

We express gratitude to former dental student Hala Al-Dory for helping with data handling. We also thank the Department of Clinical Oral Physiology, and the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health, Västerbotten County Council and Umeå University, who made this study possible.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).