Mental Health and Self-Care Practices Among Dental Hygienists

Purpose: Occupational stress and burn-out among dental hygienists may produce a decrease in overall mental health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of mental health concerns as well as perceived stressors and self-care strategies among dental hygienists in Oregon.Methods: Dental hygienists belonging to the Oregon Dental Hygienists' Association were invited to participate in an electronic survey. The validated and pilot tested-survey consisted of 28 items that addressed experiences with stress, mental health issues and coping mechanisms. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: Of the email invitations that were successfully delivered (n=251), 83 dental hygienists volunteered to participate (n=83), for a 33% response rate. Difficulty maintaining work-life balance (35%, n=28), dysfunctional work teams (34%, n=28), and not enough time in the work schedule (65%, n=54) were the most common stressors. Respondents who worked ≥20 hours per week were more likely to attribute their daily stress primarily or entirely to work (p=0.009). Self-care methods included exercise, quiet time, spending time with loved ones, and self-care activities. Only 21% of respondents (n=17) reported that they received information or training on stress management and or burn-out in as part of their dental hygiene education.Conclusion: Symptoms linked to depression and anxiety are common among dental hygienists in Oregon. Stress management education and training should be incorporated in dental hygiene educational programs to prepare graduates to effectively manage the stressors that may lead to burn-out. Additional research should be conducted on a national level to gain a more representative sample.