A systematic review of dentists' psychological wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges to healthcare workers worldwide, including the effect on the psychological wellbeing of dentists.Aims To evaluate the impact of the early phases of the pandemic on the psychological health, long-term wellbeing and clinical service provision of dentists, as well as the identification of the key risk and protective factors for adverse mental health outcomes (MHOs) in this group.Methods A systematic review of cross-sectional studies (n = 53) from public and private dentistry sectors was employed to delineate the risk and protective factors for adverse MHOs.Results Self-reports from these studies (1 December 2019 to 31 December 2021), involving 45,671 dentists worldwide were analysed. Study findings were classified according to their psychological impact (as risk or protective factors), categorised as 'operational' or 'organisational' and subdivided into 'psychosocial', 'occupational', 'sociodemographic' and 'environmental' elements. A GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) certainty of evidence score was calculated for all the identified factors.Conclusions This review confirmed the negative impact of the pandemic on the MHOs of dentists worldwide. Pivotal risk factors included fear of infection, transmission to families, lack of personal protective equipment and possible direct contact with infected patients. Enhanced infection control protocols, individual resilience and organisational support were identified as important protective factors.

Sensitivity to change of the COVID-19 Anxiety Syndrome Scale among Canadian dentists

“…41 A recent systematic review of dentists' psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic identi ed age as a risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes in this group. 7 Gasparro et al postulated that younger, less experienced dentists were more likely to develop psychological symptoms of anxiety and depression. 42 Zhao et al concluded that with increase in age, the frontline dental staff were less likely to suffer from anxiety disorders.…”

“…6 There was considerable psychological impact of the pandemic on the mental health outcomes of dentists worldwide as well. 7 Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, literature has reported high rates of suicidality, burnout, stress, anxiety and depression among dentists. 8,9 Dental settings present a potentially high risk of COVID-19 cross-infection as dental care workers work in closed environments and conduct aerosol-generating procedures.…”