Stress and Stressors Among PHCC Dentists: A Quantitative, Correlational, and Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

(1) Background: Dentistry is innately stressful and demanding. However, the extent of perceived chronic stress and the contributing factors within the dental practice at Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in Qatar are largely unknown. (2) Methods: This study is quantitative, hypothesis-testing, correlational, and cross-sectional, using a simple random sample of all PHCC dentists (168 general dentists and 47 specialist dentists). A cross-sectional survey with electronic consent was performed using demographic and professional information, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-10 to evaluate chronic stress, and the Job Stress Inventory (JSI) to assess job stress factors. (3) Results: The response rate was 49.3%. PHCC dentists demonstrated average perceived stress (mean = 18.08, SD = 5.84), with a significant relationship with age (p = 0.01). Overall job stress was average (mean = 2.45, SD = 1.18). All job factors demonstrated a significant and positive correlation with perceived stress (r = 0.472–0.555, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusion: About 70% of the dentists experienced high levels of chronic stress that decreased with age; 65.4% of this stress was attributed to job-related factors, primarily those involving patients (β = 0.341, p < 0.001). This study highlights the impact of health system reforms on stress levels among dental professionals in primary care settings.