Burnout rate among dental professionals post COVID-19 at one academic dental institution

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the healthcare profession worldwide. Frontline healthcare workers have experienced increased personal and occupational stress related to burnout, depression, and anxiety. The long-term effects of burnout, anxiety and mental suffering may lead to social isolation, substance abuse and behavioral changes. The goal of this study is to assess the self-reported levels of burnout and institutional support among dental students, residents, faculty and staff at the University of California, San Francisco in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A 15-minutes short survey questionnaire was distributed to all dental students, dental residents, dental faculty, and staff through Qualtrics® online survey tool. Out of 109 participants, 108 individuals completed the survey during September 2023. This study was approved by the university’s institutional review board (IRB # 23-39814). After demographic information, institutional support information was collected, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) was used to assess personal and work-related burnout. Results: During the period of the study there were 109 participants. We found that most professionals rated institutional support as Good. The CBI subscale scores revealed that both personal and work-related burnout were prevalent among study participants. A total of 108 dental professionals at UCSF completed a 21-item questionnaire assessing the impact of COVID-19 on wellbeing and burnout, with 55.56% (n = 60) reporting changes in their work-related wellbeing. Based on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, 37.74% (n = 40) reported moderate, 8.49% (n = 9) high, and 1.89% (n = 2) severe personal burnout, while 38.68% (n = 41) experienced moderate and 14.15% (n = 15) high or severe work-related burnout. Conclusion: Our study findings emphasize the need for proactive measures to address burnout and support the well-being of dental students, faculty, and staff. Practical implications: The findings suggest that dental institutions should implement targeted support systems and mental health resources to address burnout among dental professionals effectively. By fostering a supportive environment, institutions can improve both professional well-being and patient care quality.