Burnout syndrome in dentists. Literature review

Abstract

The problem of the development of emotional burnout syndrome in dentists is one of the most urgent problems of modern medicine. Currently, the authors do not have a single point of view on the essence of emotional burnout. Emotional burnout affects both the doctor and the patient. The solution to this problem requires further research. Objective. Based on the literature data, to identify the main factors of the development of emotional burnout of dentists, to analyze the existing strategies for overcoming stress and to determine which of them are applicable in the work of a dentist. Methods. The search for literature sources was carried out in three databases (e-library, PubMed, Web of Science) according to the keywords: “burnout syndrome in dentistry”, “burnout in dentistry”, “emotional stress in dentistry”, “strategies for overcoming stress in dentistry”, “coping strategies in dentistry”, “emotionally charged situations in dentistry”. 130 literary sources were analyzed. Criteria for inclusion: literature reviews, research, and articles on the personal point of view of specialists on the problem of emotional burnout, and on strategies for coping with stress in certified dentists. Exclusion criteria: articles on emotional burnout, stress, and depression in dental students. Results. Based on the analyzed literature on the topic of the development of emotional burnout syndrome in dentists, there is no single point of view on the essence of emotional burnout. Some authors consider it as a type of stress, othersthe result of the influence of stressful factors, against which pathological processes develop, such as: headache, problems of the cardiovascular system, exacerbation of chronic diseases, pain in the spine. The psychological state of burnout can adversely affect a person’s health, family relationships, and service interactions. Conclusion. This paper presents the main approaches to determining the essence of the burnout syndrome, a systematic analysis and generalization of materials on the problem in the professional activities of dentists. Emotional burnout affects both the doctor and the patient. The solution to this problem requires further research.