Anmol Gill discusses signs of burnout and how dental professionals can reduce both psychological and physical risks.
Dentists face a very demanding and high pressure workload. The nature of their work can lead to both psychological and physical risks.
It is essential for them to know how to manage and prevent these risks for their personnel and occupational wellbeing, and to be able to continue practising and treating patients in a safe manner.
Psychological risks can account for numerous occasions cumulatively leading up to a severe effect on the dentists mental and physical wellbeing. This could be stress over time due to the high workload, time pressure, dealing with anxious and non-cooperative patients and the responsibility of highly precise work – steering towards a ‘burnout’.
There can also be emotional strain from the fear of accidental injuries (being surrounded by potential risks at all times), concerns over cross infection and exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Adding on to the emotional strain, there is the constant need for perfectionism and high expectations due to the precision and accuracy dental work demands.
The pressure dentists face knowing that a mistake can have a serious consequence is a huge responsibility that weighs together with the other strains. These can be collective or singular but are all psychological risks due to the effect they can have on the dentist.
Burnout syndrome
Previously mentioned factors such as work-related stressors, high demands and expectations, patient interactions and work-life balance issues can all contribute to burnout syndrome. This is a condition that every dentist and healthcare provider must be aware with in order to avoid and manage this. Burnout syndrome often arises from prolonged exposure to these stressors and combined with insufficient support or a lack of effective coping mechanisms.
Factors contributing to burnout syndrome include:
- Work-life imbalance: poor work life balance form blurring boundaries between the two can lead to a burnout as ones personnel needs become neglected. This could eventually lead to relationship strains, reduced job satisfaction and lowered resilience
- Isolation and lack of peer support: isolation is often overlooked but dentists find themselves to be in a small pool of social support or peer interactions during the day. This can heighten stress and contribute to feelings of loneliness
- High expectations and perfectionism: small errors having significant consequences finds dentists self monitoring and having a fear of mistakes constantly. This also can grow a sense of inadequacy, weighing as a constant mental pressure
- Emotional toll from patient interactions: anxious, hostile or uncooperative patients require more communication and interaction demands from the dentist to manage these situations, requiring high perseverance. This can lead to emotional exhaustions and irritability – clear signs of a burnout
- Repetitive nature of tasks: dental work can be highly repetitive demanding small scale motor tasks and deep focus, a lack of variation in daily routines can feel monotonous and can produce mental fatigue
- Demanding workload and time management pressure: tight schedules with back-to-back appointments can lead to emotional and physical exhaustion and reduced quality of patient care.
Prevention of psychological risks:
Optimise workload and time management
Schedule breaks in between appointments and incorporate buffer times to reduce pressure. Delegate tasks, such as non-clinical duties, and implement time off polices, such as personal days, to prevent mental exhaustion.
Promote supportive work culture
Encourage open communication in an environment where staff members can discuss challenges faced or concerns. Embody a collaborative attitude to reduce the feeling of isolation; having regular team meetings can enhance support. Ensure to recognise and appreciate big and small achievements.
Encourage physical and mental health practices
Provide access to mental health resources among all staff members, and encourage physical wellness by promoting breaks and stretching activities. Also adding ergonomic equipment can help to prevent physical stress and strains.
Set realistic expectations and boundaries
Define the role of staff members clearly and clarify individual responsibilities. It is essential to encourage the work-life balance – limit after-hours communication and make sure team members know to respect personal time.
Prevention of physical risks:
There are also physical risks encountered in the dental profession that can be reduced and avoided with the right practice and awareness.
Musculoskeletal disorders
These are often born from prolonged periods of time sitting in awkward postures and static positions. Carpal tunnel syndrome and lower back strain can be prevented by correct ergonomic adjustments and proper postures. For example by using ergonomically suited chairs and taking frequent breaks and incorporating stretches.
Eye strain and vision problems
These can develop from close up detailed work. They can be reduced with magnifications loupes and taking regular eye breaks to avoid strains and headaches.
Exposure to harsh chemicals
There is often exposure to harsh chemicals in the dental practice from materials such as resins, anaesthetics, disinfectants and other aerosols or debris. These could contribute to respiratory issues, skin irritations and possible chemical burns. Proper ventilations and using personal protective equipment is vital to maintain protection.
Injuries from sharp instruments
Injuries from sharp instruments are frequently faced from instruments such as needles, scalpels and burs, leading to possible pathogen transmission and cross contamination issues. Dentists need to carefully handle instruments with the correct disposal methods and always wear gloves.
Noise induced hearing loss
Noise induced hearing loss can occur form the repeated exposure to high frequency noises from dental drills, procuring gradual loss of hearing or tinnitus. We can prevent this by using sound dampening materials in the practice and noise cancelling barriers.
Radiation exposure
This is a serious risk that occurs from frequent use of X-rays. There are potential long-term health risks if not protected and correct protocols are not followed. It is essential to use lead aprons and thyroid shields for patients, and to stick to the strict protocols for dentists.
Infections
Additionally dentists need to adhere to infection controls and use personal protective equipment, ensuring correct and regular hand hygiene is followed and having all the vaccinations in place for preventable diseases to avoid contracting infections from patients’ bodily fluids, saliva or respiratory droplets.
It is important for us to be aware of these risks to prevent and maintain our health, leading to optimum healthcare for patients.
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