Occupational stressors of dental hygienists in the United States.

BACKGROUND

Demand of the work environment can cause stress. Stress can cause anxiety, depression, reduced productivity, job dissatisfaction, and health issues. Unfortunately, little attention has been placed on the stressors of dental hygienists.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine occupational stressors related to personal, environmental, and physical stressors and their relationship to job satisfaction and burnout of dental hygienists.

METHODS

Survey research was conducted with a convenience sample of practicing dental hygienists (n = 763). The survey instrument consisted of 10 scales from the New Brief Job Stress Questionnaire and four questions related to burnout.

RESULTS

Job satisfaction was affected by work overload, anxiety, depression, and emotional demands. Leaving clinical dental hygiene in the next year was affected by physical stress (p < 0.05), and burnout was related to the emotional demands (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Dental hygiene has a significant emotional component to the profession and these emotional demands were more likely to lead to burnout and affect job satisfaction. Physical demands were related to dental hygienists leaving clinical dental hygiene. Attention needs to be paid to these stressors to enhance retention and job satisfaction of dental hygienists.