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Management And Prevention Of Burnout In The Dental Practitioner

Basson RA*

The aim of this article is to review the available literature to provide the clinician with information to recognize the onset of burnout, the psychological and physiological effect, the effect on the dentist-patient interaction and the provision of practical methods to address the problem. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and diminished personal accomplishment comprise the three dimensions of burnout which affect the well-being of both the dentist and the patient-dentist relationship. Engagement is the direct opposite of burnout. The three dimensions of engagement, namely, energy, involvement and efficacy may be viewed as the opposites of the three dimensions of burnout. Burnout is the result of chronic interpersonal work related stressors. The high incidence of burnout among dentists can be ascribed to the interpersonal context of the occupation. Various interacting psychosocial factors are involved in the aetiology of burnout in dentists, namely, work related stressors, dentist-patient interaction, perception of stress and the personality traits of the clinician. It is clear how detrimental burnout is to the dentist-patient relationship and that the maintenance of a stance of engagement is of paramount importance. In addition to maintaining the well-being of the clinician, dental health service delivery can therefore be improved by early recognition and treatment of burnout.