Enhancing Dentists' Resilience and Occupational Sustainability Through Physical Activity: A Systematic Review in the
Theodora Kalogerakou1, Maria Antoniadou1,2
1Department of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Physical activity helps dental professionals combat burnout and stress, promoting better mental and physical health. Integrating exercise into the workplace supports long-term career sustainability and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Exercise Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Dental professionals experience significant occupational stress, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to burnout and accelerated aging.
- Physical activity is explored as a protective factor for mental and physical health in this population.
- The study addresses resilience and occupational sustainability in a complex post-pandemic environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the role of physical activity in mitigating stress and burnout among dental professionals.
- To investigate the impact of physical activity on the well-being and biological aging markers in this workforce.
- To identify strategies for promoting occupational sustainability through physical activity.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
- Searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for studies (2000-2024) on dentistry, physical activity, and occupational health.
- Included 28 studies (24 cross-sectional, 2 systematic reviews, 1 retrospective, 1 case-control) after screening 850 records.
Main Results:
- Physical activity is consistently linked to reduced burnout, improved psychological well-being, and better postural function.
- Studies indicate potential markers of slowed biological aging in dental professionals engaging in physical activity.
- Combined interventions (exercise, ergonomics, stress management) showed the most significant benefits for professional sustainability.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity is a key component in enhancing the resilience of dental professionals.
- Integrating movement, ergonomics, and support into practice environments promotes workforce sustainability.
- This approach can improve both professional longevity and public health outcomes.
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