Stress and occupational burnout levels among Palestinian dentists, and associated factors: A cross-sectional study in 2023

• Published in: Heliyon 2024-06, Vol.10 (11), p.e32034, Article e32034
• Main Authors: Badrasawi, Thikrayat, Nazzal, Zaher, Massad, Nabil, Salameh, Eliana, Ibdah, Ahmad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Burnout; Dentists; Maslach burnout inventory; Perceived stress scale; Stress
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32034

Stress and burnout rank among the foremost dentistry-related concerns. Understanding stress and burnout among Palestinian dentists is crucial for developing targeted interventions and support systems. The study aimed to assess stress levels among dentists in Palestine, identify factors contributing to stress, and determine the relationship between stress and burnout in this professional group. ology: A cross-sectional study was conducted, employing a self-administered questionnaire to gather data from 271 dentists from March to June 2023. The Maslach burnout inventory was utilized to measure burnout across emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment dimensions, while the 10-item perceived stress scale was employed to measure stress levels. The findings revealed that 81% of Palestinian dentists reported experiencing moderate to high levels of stress. Emotional exhaustion was a prominent aspect of burnout, with 48% of participants reporting high levels. The multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between stress scores and female participants (p = 0.001), daily sleeping hours (p = 0.016), as well as emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment burnout subscales (p ≤ 0.001 for both). The study revealed high-stress levels among Palestinian dentists, which were associated with sex and daily sleep hours. Furthermore, burnout was prevalent among dentists, particularly in terms of emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment, which were strongly associated with increased stress levels. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions and support mechanisms tailored to factors facing dentists, especially among females and those who receive inadequate sleep. The relationship between burnout and stress levels highlights the intricate connection between these phenomena. •Dentists face challenges contributing to stress.•Burnout affects dentists, and it is associated with a high workload and limited autonomy.•Findings reveal a concerning prevalence of stress among dentists.•Burnout and stress are interconnected, and tailored interventions are needed.•Sex, sleep duration, and MBI scale components (emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment) may predict stress.