Exploring dental professionals' perceptions of resilience to dental environment stress: a qualitative study

Aims This study aimed to investigate what constitutes the meaning of resilience to dental environment stress for different members of the dental team, and how resilience is operationalised by these team members. It also aimed to clarify if there were different or similar sources of stress for different groups.Methods Participants were recruited from dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, dental nurses, dental technicians and clinical dental technicians. In total, 22 participants provided informed consent to take part and were interviewed - 17 online and five in person. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The transcripts were member checked and then analysed. Codes were generated and grouped into themes. The University of Portsmouth Science and Health Faculty Ethics Committee approved the study.Results Three themes with 11 sub-themes were identified. The sub-themes were: expectations associated with working environment; pressures associated with working environment; team dynamics; taking a balanced view; engaging with support networks; achieving work/life balance; diversity and variety in role; organisation; sense of purpose; gratitude; and positive relationships. Many of the stresses which were identified were common to all team members.Conclusions The findings highlighted disparities and similarities with experiences which need to be addressed to further enhance dental professionals' wellbeing. They will also inform a planned national quantitative study.