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

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What does it mean to be a dentist? One may say it means to be 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 the profession. 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 the 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 but after one year of clinical practice, I found myself diagnosed with alopecia, 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 insights into this topic "Burnout and Career Satisfaction Among US Dentists". The study aimed to assess burnout and career satisfaction among dentists in the U.S. and involved surveying over 2,000 dentists across the country and analyzing their responses to questions related to burnout, career satisfaction, workload, and other factors.

The findings of the study revealed that a significant proportion of dentists experience burnout, with around 70% reporting symptoms of burnout 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’re working for an insurance-based practice then, it’s all about volume because of poor reimbursement rates. You’re forced to pack your day in order to produce the most. And while you’re keeping busy, your take home doesn’t satisfy the rising costs of living.

Pride

Consequently, that high workload ends up with you falling behind schedule, which prevents you from creating work that you’re proud of, and as perfectionists, we end up being our own worst critic.

Physical pain

Similarly, seeing a high volume of patients means two things: we’re running between operatories and spending the entire day hunched over. Throughout the day, the tension builds in our neck, shoulders, and back. Eventually, this tension is compounded over the length of the work week. Repeatedly 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 have to manage our patients' emotions but each time they complain in the chair, we take their comments as criticism and internalize them. Eventually, feeling underappreciated results in resentment towards patients.

So what can you do to overcome this pain?

Take care of your body

Whether it’s exercising, stretching, or getting massages make sure you give your body time to rest and recover. Respecting your body is the only way to sustain a long career in dentistry.

Fuel your body

Many times we are so busy working, we forget to nourish ourselves during the day. Make sure you make time to eat, especially before going to work. Eating well nourishes your mind and body, which in turn affects your mood. You’ll find that you are better focused and 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 just a few days a week so you can find time to invest in yourself. Self-care is not just physical care but also making time for relationships and hobbies. Every person has the right to make memories so try new things, make plans, and create experiences.

If you’re still reading this then, you’ve probably recognized signs of burnout in yourself. At least now, you know that you’re not the only one. The good thing is, it’s never too late to make a change. Start by visualizing the type of dentistry you want to practice but also, the type of person you want to be. In doing so, you’ll take intentional steps to prioritize yourself and in turn, make your vision a reality.