Stress levels of a group of dentists while providing dental care under clinical, deep sedation, and general anesthesia.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Professionals in the health sector have higher stress than others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress levels of dentists while treating with children under clinical, deep sedation, and general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic), pulse value, and O2 saturations were measured. Saliva samples were taken by the dentists 10 min before the treatment, at the 25th min of the treatment, and 30 min after the treatment under clinical, deep sedation, and general anesthesia. Salivary cortisol was measured by the electrochemiluminescence method. All data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Cortisol values under the sedation were higher than clinical and general anesthesia (P < 0.05). As a result of the applied Dentist Job Stress Questionnaire, the stress level of dentists under sedation was higher than the clinical and general anesthesia (P < 0.05). Under sedation, systolic and diastolic blood pressures measured during the procedure were found to be high (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Dentists who care for pediatric patients are more stressed when applying treatment under deep sedation. The results suggest the need for more training and practice to strengthen the education given on general anesthesia/sedation in pediatric dentistry training. CLINICAL REVELANCE To increase the health and treatment quality of the dentists, who spend most of the day with the dental treatment of children, should be taken precautions.