BURNOUT SYNDROME AND RELATED WORK ENGAGEMENT FACTORS - A PILOT DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY AMONG DENTISTS IN BULGARIA (PART I)

The purpose of the present study was to investigate and assess the prevalence and levels of burnout syndrome among dentists, taking into account specific factors of the work environment - type of dental practice, ownership of the dental office and type of clinical activities performed. An anonymous survey was conducted among 156 dentists (response rate=90.6%, n=136). The questionnaire consisted of two parts – socio-demographic profile and workplace characteristics; standard burnout research methodology, through the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-HSS). According to the results obtained, dentists working in individual (single) dental practices, in a rented dental office and those who avoided certain clinical activities (surgery or treatment of patients with severe chronic diseases) had a higher risk of burnout, showing high levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment, compared to dentists who worked in group practices, in their own dental office and accepted all patients, regardless of the clinical case. Therefore, avoiding professional isolation, monotonous clinical activities, bringing variety to work, as well as practicing in one's own dental office, bringing sufficient security and independence, would contribute to a very large extent to the prevention and mitigation of burnout syndrome.