Quality of Life and Satisfaction from Career and Work–Life Integration of Greek Dentists before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Quality of life (QoL) of dental professionals is a basic parameter of the quality of dental services (QS), a fact well-documented before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in different countries. This study is a comprehensive, cross-sectional survey aimed to explore possible differences in satisfaction from career and work-life integration, as well as QoL in a sample of Greek dentists during the second lockdown in March 2021. Methods: 804 dentists from the vast metropolitan area of Athens and Piraeus selectively responded by completing a self-reported questionnaire based on: the Copenhagen Questionnaire (CQ) for assessing work stress; the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey (MBI-HSS) for evaluating personal accomplishment; and the Quality-of-Life work scale (ProQOL-CSF). Data were analyzed using the independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: QoL and career satisfaction were significantly diminished during the pandemic. Career satisfaction despite the pandemic was overall influenced in tandem by age (b = 0.427, p = 0.001), marital status (b = 0.276, p = 0.021), and inversely by years of practice (b = −0.330, p = 0.007) and income (b = −0.221, p = 0.015). Satisfaction from the work–life integration was influenced before the pandemic by marital status (b = 0.255 p = 0.013), years of practice (b = −0.371, p = 0.0001), while gender, years of practice, age, higher education, and income played a significant role during the pandemic. QoL was impacted before pandemic by age (b = −1.007, p = 0.001), number of children (b = −1.704, p = 0.018), and higher degree (b = −1.143, p = 0.001), while during the pandemic by gender (b = −0.582, p = 0.002), number of children (b = 0.469, p = 0.037), higher degree (b = 0.279, p = 0.009), and years of practice (b = −0.523, p = 0.0001). Males were more prone to low QoL, and dissatisfaction with career and work–life integration, during the pandemic. Income is a predictor of career satisfaction despite the pandemic. Personal resources through deep human relationships, higher education, beliefs, and values can offer a resilience shield against professional difficulties in periods of unexpected stressful events.

Conceptual Framework for Implementation of Internationalization in Dental Education with Foundations in Dental Student Life

“…However, further research in another setting should be required in order to ensure the transferability. Moreover, as the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have impacted on the quality of life of dental professionals [ 34 ], this issue should also be addressed to see if it has any impact on student life in international dental schools. In addition to academic performance and extracurricular activities, further research may investigate how performance indicators of internationalization can impact mental health, as it can be considered as essential for international students as they have higher expectations regarding international facilities and support, when compared to domestic students [ 35 ].…”

Green Dental Environmentalism among Students and Dentists in Greece

“…Under this scope green dental issues and circular philosophy in dentistry are emerging in the research literature to provide knowledge and tools for information sharing and enhancing environmental actions [6,9]. A big discussion is on the field to provide better quality and sustainable dental services with new processes and slow dentistry workflows in an esthetic, naturally designed environment, digital solutions, innovative resource analysis and building constructions that guarantee less waste, upgraded knowledge and skills, and, in the end, provide better quality of life for all stakeholders, up to 2050 [5].…”

“…As in other fields, also in dentistry, the physical setting is linked to an employee's ability to physically engage with the workplace [13]. Since there are interconnections between buildings 'design and people's psychology (Yang & Yuan2022), the healthy dental workplace atmosphere has a positive impact on individual employees' behavior [14], motivation, enthusiasm, creativity, and efficiency [15] or oppositively, on their willingness to quit [ 9,16]. Thus, green buildings design and construction is the new research appointment for human's wellbeing and resources sustainability issues in the health sector [2].…”

Estimation and Factors Affecting Water Quality and Sustainability in the Private Dental Sector in Greece

“…More specifically, the questionnaire consisted of three parts. Part A had nine questions concerning demographic statistics of the sample (gender, age, family status, place of work, dental educational level, ways of practicing dentistry, years of professional activity, family income) that were also mentioned in relevant studies as having a statistical impact in this sample [75,76]. Part B had thirty multiple choice questions describing ways of water circulation within the unit and handpieces, as well as attitudes and processes that dentists use for their maintenance, and disinfection as described in the previous review and elsewhere, too [77,78].…”

“…Finally, part D had two questions about educational proposals on water quality assurance and the waterline network's maintenance within the dental practice. One of the questions was open-ended to describe participants' proposals and enquiries as mentioned elsewhere, too [75,76].…”