Burnout Prevalent Among Oral Health Workforce During Pandemic

New Report Sheds Light on Stress and Burnout Among Dental Professionals

USA: Burnout has emerged as a significant concern within the oral health workforce, with detrimental effects on employee turnover, absenteeism, and overall well-being. This issue has also raised concerns about potential medical errors that could impact patient safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these challenges, especially for healthcare providers engaged in patient care.

A recent report from the Oral Health Workforce Research Center (OHWRC) at the University at Albany’s Center for Health Workforce Studies (CHWS) delves into the prevalence and effects of burnout and stress among the oral health workforce in safety-net dental organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers collaborated with the Health Choice Network to analyse the results of a 2021 online survey that collected responses from clinicians working in 25 community health centers across the United States.

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High Burnout Rates

The survey findings reveal that oral health providers reported high levels of burnout, with rates similar to those reported by other medical providers engaged in patient care. Specifically, 79.3% of oral health providers surveyed reported experiencing burnout. This rate is comparable to 80.1% for primary care providers and 76.2% for mental/behavioral health providers.

The OHWRC researchers conducted key-informant interviews with professionals in various roles within safety-net dental organisations across the United States in 2022. These interviews aimed to gather insights into the impact of COVID-19-related stressors on the stress and anxiety levels of dental staff, as well as to assess the effects of burnout and stress on employee recruitment and retention.

Identifying Stressors

At the organisational level, the reported stressors were primarily related to challenges in obtaining sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE), changes in clinical protocols, the reassignment of clinicians to nontraditional roles, and workforce shortages. The most common individual-level stressors were associated with childcare, particularly affecting single parents, with women being disproportionately impacted. The lack of adequate childcare was identified as a key factor leading dental assistants and hygienists to leave their jobs.

CHWS Director Jean Moore emphasises the importance of not only recognising burnout but also understanding the underlying reasons behind healthcare workers’ experiences of it. Once specific stressors have been identified, strategies can be implemented at both organisational and personal levels to reduce burnout and support providers.

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Addressing Stressors and Burnout

To mitigate these stressors, organisations implemented various strategies to support work-life balance among their staff. These strategies included offering more time off, providing additional pay, increasing break time for staff, and enhancing work-schedule flexibility for parents.

This comprehensive effort seeks to address the issues of stress and burnout that have plagued the oral health workforce, particularly during the challenging times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

About the Center for Health Workforce Studies

Founded in 1996, CHWS is an academic research organization situated at the School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY). The mission of CHWS is to provide timely, accurate data and conduct policy-relevant research on the health workforce. The research carried out by CHWS supports and promotes health workforce planning and policymaking at local, regional, state, and national levels. CHWS is a national leader in the field of health workforce studies, and it is the only HRSA-sponsored center with a unique focus on the oral health workforce.

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