Life satisfaction and peace of mind among dentists: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to identify the factors associated with the life satisfaction and peace of mind (PoM) of dentists not in full-time clinical training.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional questionnaires were distributed to dentists in Taiwan to collect their life satisfaction, PoM, sociodemographic data, and dental career-related characteristics. Life satisfaction was measured using a 5-item Satisfaction with Life Scale. PoM was measured using a 7-item Peace of Mind Scale. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models were estimated to explore potential associations between the two scales and the examined factors.

Results: A total of 1196 dentists (45.6% female; mean age = 44.12) completed the questionnaires. The response rate of completed questionnaires from email invitations was 32.9%. On multivariable analysis, life satisfaction and PoM were associated with age (b = 0.008 in both), better perceived health (b = 0.262 and 0.308, respectively), family interaction (b = 0.264 and 0.207, respectively), and friend relationships (b = 0.076 and 0.091, respectively). Being married (b = 0.191), being specialized (b = 0.127), working in private practice, and spending 10 to 39 h per week with patients (b = 0.101 to 0.162) were associated with a higher level of life satisfaction but not PoM.

Conclusions: Specialists working in private practice without working overtime were associated with better life satisfaction. However, the dentists' health and relationships with family were more related to their subjective well-being than their professional achievements.

Clinical relevance: Our findings can help policymakers increase awareness of the well-being of general dentists and those in academia or hospitals to promote their mental health.

Keywords: Career choice; Dental residency; Graduate dental education; Happiness; Private practice; School dentistry; Specialization.