Assessment of work engagement among dentists in Hyderabad.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Work engagement has been conceptualized as a relatively stable phenomenon, partly explained by the presence of specific job and organizational characteristics. Work engagement is important to the dental workforce worldwide, and the lack of it has been known to cause burnout. Positivity among dentists is essential as it is directly proportional to the patient's satisfaction towards the dental care. OBJECTIVE: To assess work engagement among dentists in the city of Hyderabad, India. METHOD: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted to assess work engagement among dentists enrolled with the local branch of the Indian Dental Association in the city of Hyderabad, India. The shortened form of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) questionnaire was employed for the assessment. The mean scores of total work engagement and its domains based on gender and educational qualifications were estimated using Student t- test. RESULTS: A total of 371 subjects participated in the study. Females reported higher mean scores than males for total work (p = 0.40) and its dimensions (Vigor; p = 0.23, Dedication; p = 0.53, Absorption; p = 0.69). Dentists with Master's degree had higher mean scores not only in the total work, but also in its dimensions. (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The present study reported that females had higher mean scores of total work engagement and its individual domains. In comparison with a Bachelor's degree, having a Master's degree enhanced work engagement among dentists in Hyderabad, India.