Occupational hazards of dental profession to psychological wellbeing.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine self perceived psychological wellbeing of Lithuanian dentists and to relate complains of well being to occupational hazards of dental profession.


METHODS
All dentists (2449) registered in Lithuanian Dental Chamber license registry were approached by post questionnaire which included structured questions regarding occupational hazards and their effects on self perceived psychological wellbeing.


RESULTS
Overall majority (95.1%) of Lithuanian dentists reported that dental profession influences their general health and more than a half (52.4%) experienced health complains on either a frequent or very frequent basis. Substantial numbers of Lithuanian dentists reported work related stress, fatigue, nervousness and anxiety. Tension before work and awakenings at night were frequent complains. Of all, 94.2% of respondents indicated that long working hours affect their general health and 41.7% were bothered by this condition on a frequent or very frequent basis. Although less than 10% of dentists indicated overwork, they indicated that long working hours influence their psychological wellbeing.


CONCLUSIONS
Substantial numbers of Lithuanian dentists reported different impairment of their psychological well-being. These complains were related to occupational hazards of dental profession.
Puriene
Alina
A
Zalgiris Clinic Vilnius University Hospital, Zalgirio 117, LT-08217 Vilnius, Lithuania. alina.puriene@gmail.com
Aleksejuniene
Jolanta
J
Petrauskiene
Jadvyga
J
Balciuniene
Irena
I
Janulyte
Vilija
V
D003813:Dentistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D011788:Quality of Life; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D016526:Workload