Dentists in their practice are constantly exposed to psychic overloads, and yet they are rarely investigated as a professional group in the context of occupational risk. The aim of this epidemiological study was to analyze the frequency of smoking habit among dentists and to evaluate stress inducing factors which are affecting dentists in their everyday practice.
Materials and methods: The questionnaire consisting of 12 closed questions arranged in Lickert scale were used in this cross sectional study. First part of the survey involved basic anthroposocial data (age, gender, weight), second ergonomic part referred to psychological overload involved in dental practice and stress factors outside their job. The question concerning smoking was a part of second section. 150 questionnaires were filled in by female dentists coming from western regions of Poland. Most of participants in the study were older than 40 years, only 10% represented younger than 30 years old generation (mean age 47.5 sd 9.1). For statistical analysis we used Kruskal Wallis, Anova and Dunn tests. Statistical significance in this study was established at the p < 0.05 level.
Results: The obtained results revealed that 17% of female dentists smoke cigarettes. 81% of respondents declare job related psychological overload. All of the respondents found physical overload as a main negative factor, 82% pointed out lack of good communication with patients and 65% lack of communication with coworkers as an important negative factor, 74% of respondents indicated long working hours and time pressure during procedures as a significant stress inducing factors.
Conclusions: 1. The study confirmed that dentists who have long working hours consider their job as more stressful. 2. The results acknowledge the need to enhance and promote health-oriented attitudes among dentists.