Occupational Stress and Coping Behaviours Among Dentists in Kerman, Iran.
OBJECTIVE
Recognising causes of stress can help prevent associated adverse effects. This study aimed to investigate causes of occupational stress and coping behaviours among general dentists in Iran.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was carried out from April to December 2014. A modified version of the Occupational Stress Indicator questionnaire was used to assess causes of stress and coping behaviours among 142 general dentists in Kerman, Iran.


RESULTS
A total of 93 dentists participated in the study (response rate: 65.5%). Of these, 58.9% reported often being stressed. The mean general stress score was 63.33 ± 19.99. The most common causes of stress were maintaining high levels of concentration while working (65.6%), time pressures (64.5%), concern over their ability to deliver dental services in future (60.2%) and rising costs (59.1%). No significant relationships between stress and gender, age, workplace or working hours per week were noted (P >0.05). However, there was a significant correlation between general stress scores and years of job experience (P = 0.05) and number of patients treated daily (P = 0.03). The most common methods for coping with stress were resting (71.0%), sports (45.2%) and entertainment (43.0%). Most dentists felt that stress management courses could help to reduce stress (89.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
General dentists in Kerman were subject to many sources of stress in their workplaces, with significant relationships between stress scores and years of work experience and number of patients treated daily. Dentists should be encouraged to participate in stress management courses to help alleviate stress.
Oral & Dental Diseases Research Centre, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Shiva
S
Pouradeli
Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Arash
A
Shahravan
Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Ali
A
Eskandarizdeh
Oral & Dental Diseases Research Centre, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Forozan
F
Rafie
Oral & Dental Diseases Research Centre, School of Dentistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Maryam A
MA
Hashemipour
Coping Behavior; Dentists; Iran; Psychological Stress