www.sbdmj.com - Stomatologija - Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

Summary

Objective. The aim of this study was to examine self perceived psychological wellbeing of Lithuanian dentists and to relate complains of well being to occupational hazards of dental profession.

Materials and methods. All dentists (2449) registered in Lithuanian Dental Chamber license registry were approached by post questionnaire which included structured questions regarding occupational hazards and their effects on self perceived psychological wellbeing.

Results. Overall majority (95.1%) of Lithuanian dentists reported that dental profession influences their general health and more than a half (52.4%) experienced health complains on either a frequent or very frequent basis. Substantial numbers of Lithuanian dentists reported work related stress, fatigue, nervousness and anxiety. Tension before work and awakenings at night were frequent complains. Of all, 94.2% of respondents indicated that long working hours affect their general health and 41.7% were bothered by this condition on a frequent or very frequent basis. Although less than 10% of dentists indicated overwork, they indicated that long working hours influence their psychological wellbeing.

Conclusion. Substantial numbers of Lithuanian dentists reported different impairment of their psychological well-being. These complains were related to occupational hazards of dental profession.

Key words: psychological well-being, occupational hazards, dentists.

Received: 30 08 2007

Accepted for publishing: 28 09 2007

¹Zalgiris Clinic Vilnius University Hospital
²Department of Oral Health Sciences Faculty of Dentistry, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
³Department of Health care management Medicine Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania

Alina Puriene¹ – D.D.S., PhD, assoc. prof.
Jolanta Aleksejuniene² – D.D.S., M.Sc., PhD, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Jadvyga Petrauskiene³ – D.D.S.
Irena Balciuniene¹ – D.D.S., PhD, Hab. Dr., professor
Vilija Janulyte¹ – student

Address correspondence to Dr. Alina Puriene, Zalgiris Clinic Vilnius University Hospital, Zalgirio 117, LT-08217 Vilnius, Lithuania.
E-mail: alina.puriene@gmail.com



	Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

September, 2007, Vol. 9, No. 3 CONTENTS SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES Condylar and mandibular morphological criteria in the 2D and 3D MSCT imaging for patients with Class II division 1 subdivision malocclusion 67-71 Occupational hazards of dental profession to psychological wellbeeing 72-78 Malocclusion and the need for orthodontic treatment in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction 79-85 The relationship between the severity of malposition of the frontal teeth and periodontal health in age 15-21 and 35-44 86-90 The influence of early orthodontic treatment on the growth of craniofacial complex in deciduous occlusion of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients 91-96 © 2007 Stomatologija		Stomatologija 2007; 9 (3): 72-78 459 KB Occupational hazards of dental profession to psychological wellbeeing Alina Puriene, Jolanta Aleksejuniene, Jadvyga Petrauskiene, Irena Balciuniene, Vilija Janulyte Summary Objective. The aim of this study was to examine self perceived psychological wellbeing of Lithuanian dentists and to relate complains of well being to occupational hazards of dental profession. Materials and methods. All dentists (2449) registered in Lithuanian Dental Chamber license registry were approached by post questionnaire which included structured questions regarding occupational hazards and their effects on self perceived psychological wellbeing. Results. Overall majority (95.1%) of Lithuanian dentists reported that dental profession influences their general health and more than a half (52.4%) experienced health complains on either a frequent or very frequent basis. Substantial numbers of Lithuanian dentists reported work related stress, fatigue, nervousness and anxiety. Tension before work and awakenings at night were frequent complains. Of all, 94.2% of respondents indicated that long working hours affect their general health and 41.7% were bothered by this condition on a frequent or very frequent basis. Although less than 10% of dentists indicated overwork, they indicated that long working hours influence their psychological wellbeing. Conclusion. Substantial numbers of Lithuanian dentists reported different impairment of their psychological well-being. These complains were related to occupational hazards of dental profession. Key words: psychological well-being, occupational hazards, dentists. Received: 30 08 2007 Accepted for publishing: 28 09 2007 ¹Zalgiris Clinic Vilnius University Hospital ²Department of Oral Health Sciences Faculty of Dentistry, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada ³Department of Health care management Medicine Kaunas University of Medicine, Kaunas, Lithuania Alina Puriene¹ – D.D.S., PhD, assoc. prof. Jolanta Aleksejuniene² – D.D.S., M.Sc., PhD, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Jadvyga Petrauskiene³ – D.D.S. Irena Balciuniene¹ – D.D.S., PhD, Hab. Dr., professor Vilija Janulyte¹ – student Address correspondence to Dr. Alina Puriene, Zalgiris Clinic Vilnius University Hospital, Zalgirio 117, LT-08217 Vilnius, Lithuania. E-mail: alina.puriene@gmail.com