Integrative assessment of dentists’ psychoemotional status for preventing emergencies in outpatient dentistry: A digital solution. Part 2

BACKGROUND: High levels of professional stress, regular interactions with patients, the necessity for quick decision-making under pressure, and physical exhaustion all contribute to occupational burnout in dentists. Integrative diagnosis approaches, such as automated online calculators, allow for the prompt assessment of physicians’ psychoemotional status and providing personalized recommendations to prevent occupational burnout.

AIM: To assess the psychoemotional status of dentists in real-world clinical practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included dentists of three age groups: young (< 44 years, n = 348), middle (45–59 years, n = 85), and older (60–74 years, n = 22) age. A functional and psychoemotional status assessment protocol was used, with each study subject answering the questions of four validated questionnaires. Moreover, an online calculator for integrative assessment of dentists’ psychoemotional status was developed for express assessment and data interpretation, including visualization of results obtained using the questionnaires.

RESULTS: According to the emotional burnout questionnaire (by V.V. Boiko), middle-aged dentists are the most likely to experience emotional burnout. Young dentists show moderate stress levels, while older dentists achieve stability. These findings highlight the importance of prevention programs to support dentists at all phases of their careers. Moreover, the emotional burnout diagnosis questionnaire revealed differences in occupational burnout depending on age group: young dentists have a positive attitude, middle-aged dentists experience high stress levels, and older dentists are less committed. This emphasizes the importance of an age-based approach to the prevention of occupational burnout. Social communicative competence assessment aids in determining the features of each age group. Young dentists are active and cheerful, middle-aged dentists experience emotional stress, and older dentists are composed and level-headed, emphasizing the significance of age-related features in professional activities and growth. The differences between age groups reflect the changes associated with professional maturity and priorities. Young specialists are dynamic and committed, while older specialists have good communication and organizational skills, which they adapt to current responsibilities. Maintaining and improving skills in all age groups is essential for increased working efficiency.

CONCLUSION: The analysis of the psychoemotional status of dentists revealed that older specialists have good mental health, but show a decline in physical condition and commitment. Middle-aged specialists have a high risk of emotional burnout. Young specialists have good logical reasoning capabilities, but can experience stress during adaptation to work. The study emphasizes the necessity of regular psychoemotional status monitoring in dentists and support programs that improve mental well-being, workplace productivity, and the quality of dental care.