An analysis of stress and burnout in UK general dental practitioners: subdimensions and causes

Introduction Dentistry is well documented as a stressful profession. The majority of UK dentists work in general practice, which can carry multiple sources of stress. Previous research has acknowledged the propensity of these sources of stress for general dental practitioners (GDPs) when undertaking clinical, administrative and managerial tasks. The results of these accumulative stress sources can lead to burnout among GDPs. Understanding the environmental drivers of stress is an important step in high, and in some reported cases, unsustainable levels of stress and burnout. Aims To investigate the key dimensions of stress among GDPs and to model causality between these stress subdimensions and burnout as an outcome. To further identify the moderating influence of dentistry type (NHS, private) and performer type (practice owner, associate, corporate associate). Materials and methods The data are drawn from an online survey of UK dentists comprising BDA members and non-members. A total of 1513 GDP responses were used in the final analysis. The analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling. Results We identify four subdimensions of stress in general dentistry; productivity stress, work content stress, patient-led stress and regulatory stress. Each dimension of stress is shown to have a significant causal link to burnout among the GDP population. While burnout levels among this population are already in excess of accepted thresholds, we find that stress is further elevated in specific areas of dentistry type and when performer type is considered. Conclusions This study contributes across three main areas. First, stress dimensions in general dental practice are identified. Second, these dimensions are shown to have a causal relationship with burnout. Third, specific cases of general dentistry are shown to elevate already problematic areas of stress among GDPs.