Socio-labor Determinants and Quality of Life in General Dentists Who Treat Children: A Cross-sectional Study in Guayaquil

Objective: To evaluate the impact of quality of life (QoL) and related factors among general dentists who provide care to pediatric patients in Guayaquil, Ecuador.Materials and methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted with a sample of 400 general dentists in Guayaquil.Data were collected using validated questionnaires that assessed QoL, mental health, perceived social support, and pediatric care experience.Sociodemographic and professional characteristics were also recorded.The data were processed in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS.Results: Personal and professional factors such as age, marital status, years of experience, home ownership, income perception, and job satisfaction significantly influenced several dimensions of QoL.A strong, statistically significant correlation was found between mental health and QoL, highlighting the importance of psychological well-being in dental practice.Additionally, perceived social support emerged as a key factor positively associated with better QoL.Notably, dentists who provided pediatric care reported higher levels of well-being and motivation. Conclusion:The findings confirm the multifactorial nature of QoL among general dentists and underscore the relevance of mental health, social support, and pediatric patient care as influential variables.Clinical significance: Promoting mental health and strengthening social support systems can enhance the QoL and professional satisfaction among dentists.Pediatric dental care appears to offer emotional and motivational benefits that may positively influence overall well-being.Targeted interventions in these areas could contribute to improved clinical performance and long-term retention in the dental workforce.