Mental Health Status Profiles of Dentists in South Korea: A Latent Profile Analysis Approach

Dentists encounter unique occupational challenges, including stress, depression, and anxiety, that can impact their mental well-being. Therefore, it is essential to identify dentists' mental health statuses and the factors influencing them. Understanding the heterogeneity in dentists' mental health is crucial for tailored interventions. To investigate different mental health profiles within the dentist population and understand the characteristics of each type.

In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed 261 Korean dentists from a sample of 1,520. Using latent profile analysis, participants were classified into distinct mental health profiles based on self-reported stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and sleep quality. Demographic and occupational variables were analyzed to explore their association with mental health profiles.

Three distinct mental health profiles were identified: high, moderate, and low. Factors such as drinking frequency, socioeconomic status, income, and work hours significantly influenced profile classification. Significant differences in job satisfaction were observed among the profiles.

This study underscores the importance of personalized interventions to address the specific needs of each mental health profile, aiming to improve job satisfaction and overall mental health in the dental profession.