Measuring work stress among Dutch dentists

Abstract

Individual differences among dentists determine to a large degree what is experienced as work stress, but assessment of specific areas is necessary to be able to act preventively. The aim of this study was to develop an instrument to be used to monitor the experience of work stress in detail, to measure its levels, and to relate those levels to job (dis-) satisfaction. A questionnaire was developed, the Dentists' Experienced Work Stress Scale (DEWSS), covering widespread aspects of dental work, which was completed by 709 dentists, forming a highly representative sample of Dutch general dental practitioners. Factorial, correlational, and reliability analyses were conducted, after which seven areas of stress emerged: Work Pressure, Financial Aspects, Patient Contacts, Work Contents, Career Aspects, Team Aspects, and Professional and Private Life. Of these, Patient Contacts and Work Contents showed highest mean scores, as did the specific items: 'defaulters', 'governmental instructions', and 'unreasonable or demanding patients'. A strong inverse relationship was found between work stress, in particular lack of career perspective, and job satisfaction. The questionnaire is a valuable instrument to monitor pressure at work as felt by Dutch general dental practitioners. Patient contacts, work pressure, and career perspective clearly need preventive attention in the Dutch situation.