Burnout and depression among Spanish periodontology practitioners.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome and depression symptoms among periodontology practitioners, as well as the relationship with socio-demographic variables and work stress.

STUDY DESIGN: A total of 284 subjects, members of the Spanish Society of Periodontology (SEPA), were selected for this study. The Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Tetradimensional Estructural Questionnaire for Depression (TEC-DE) were sent by post to all participants. Descriptive statistics in addition to mean comparison and chi-square test were used for data analysis.

RESULTS: A response rate of 59.85% was obtained. From the total sample, 40% shows high levels of emotional exhaustion, 20% increased depersonalization and 11.20% diminished personal accomplishment. The prevalence of any depression symptom was nearly 16%. Moreover, higher prevalence was found among those practitioners not working a continuous shift and not practicing periodontology on an exclusive basis.

CONCLUSION: Among Spanish periodontology practitioners, a high prevalence of burnout and depression exists.