Balancing burnout in dental practice
How dentists manage stress and burnout can create a better environment for dental team members and patients alike.
Factors related to overhead costs, scheduling, management systems, communication, finances, ongoing staffing shortages and leadership can complicate a dental practice and exacerbate stress, according to a news article from Oral Health. For instance, a recent survey revealed that challenges related to managing dental practices contributed more to stress compared with challenges related to clinical aspects of the practices.
Experts suggested that dental professionals approach stress and burnout with the same problem-solving skills they apply to treating patients — in which they seek to better understand and reduce stressors rather than view them as inevitable. They noted that practice owners often learn how to cope with the pressures related to running the business after the purchase. However, the experts noted that failure is part of the learning process and, similar to clinical techniques, developing skills to manage these issues comes with proper education, guidance and practice.
Dental professionals who focus on improving their practice ownership experience through better systems and effective management and leadership approaches rather than boosting productivity may also pass along the benefits to dental staff and patients. Although challenges will still persist, practice owners can create a less stressful workplace environment that can function adequately — even when they need to step out for a vacation.
Read more: Oral Health
The article presented here is intended to inform you about the broader media perspective on dentistry, regardless of its alignment with the ADA's stance. It is important to note that publication of an article does not imply the ADA's endorsement, agreement, or promotion of its content.