Breaking Point: The Silent Epidemic of Burnout Among America's Dentists

What does it mean to be a dentist? One may say it means being a community leader, an educator, a healer. These are all beautiful descriptions of our profession, but then why does it also feel so painful?

Going into the profession, most of us are unaware of the physical and emotional pain that comes along with it. I, for one, had shadowed dentists prior to choosing dentistry as a career, and I do not recall anyone complaining of back pain, difficult patients, or troubling procedures. Nor did any of my professors share stories about strenuous days in practice.

So when I graduated residency, I thought my life as a practicing clinician would be a comfortable one, but my first job proved me wrong. My first job was in public health, and the notion to serve was rooted in treating volume. After one year of clinical practice, I found myself diagnosed with alopecia, or partial hair loss. I took this physical sign of burnout as an opportunity to cut back from dentistry in order to address my health.

Interestingly, I am not the only one affected by burnout. A notable study from the Journal of the American Dental Association (2015) provides insight into this topic, titled “Burnout and Career Satisfaction Among US Dentists.” The study aimed to assess burnout and career satisfaction among dentists in the United States and involved surveying over 2,000 dentists across the country. Researchers analyzed responses related to burnout, career satisfaction, workload, and other contributing factors.

The findings revealed that a significant proportion of dentists experience burnout, with around 70 percent reporting symptoms at various levels. But the bigger question is, why are we feeling this way? Below are four reasons that contribute to burnout.

High workload

If you are working for an insurance-based practice, it is all about volume due to poor reimbursement rates. You are forced to pack your day in order to produce the most. And while you are keeping busy, your take-home pay does not satisfy the rising cost of living.

Pride

Consequently, that high workload often causes you to fall behind schedule, which prevents you from creating work you are proud of. As perfectionists, we end up being our own worst critics.

Physical pain

Similarly, seeing a high volume of patients means two things. We are constantly running between operatories and spending the entire day hunched over. As the day progresses, tension builds in our neck, shoulders, and back. Eventually, this tension compounds over the course of the work week. Repeated poor ergonomics can result in serious injury and ultimately compromise your dental career.

Emotional pain

How many times have you heard a patient say, “I’m scared of the dentist”? Not only do we manage our patients’ emotions, but each time they complain in the chair, we take their comments as criticism and internalize them. Over time, feeling underappreciated can result in resentment toward patients.

So what can you do to overcome this pain?

Take care of your body

Whether it is exercising, stretching, or getting massages, make sure you give your body time to rest and recover. Respecting your body is essential to sustaining a long career in dentistry.

Fuel your body

Many times, we are so busy working that we forget to nourish ourselves during the day. Make time to eat, especially before going to work. Eating well nourishes your mind and body, which directly affects your mood. You will find that you are more focused and able to do better dentistry.

Fill your other cups

Your career does not define you. Create a work schedule that works for you. That could mean working fewer days per week so you can invest time in yourself. Self-care is not only physical care but also nurturing relationships and hobbies. Everyone deserves to make memories, so try new things, make plans, and create experiences.

If you are still reading this, you have probably recognized signs of burnout in yourself. At least now, you know that you are not alone. The good news is that it is never too late to make a change. Start by visualizing the type of dentistry you want to practice, as well as the type of person you want to be. By doing so, you can take intentional steps to prioritize yourself and ultimately turn that vision into reality.