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Abstract: Objectives: To investigate which opinions among dentists are associated with level of technology use, when characteristics of the dentist and dental practice, as well as motivating work aspects are taken into account. Methods: A total of 1000 general dental practitioners in the Netherlands received a questionnaire on digital technologies they use, opinions on using technologies and related motivating work aspects. Questions were derived from expert interviews, the Dentists’ Experienced Job Resources Scale and literature on technology implementation. Technology use was measured as the number of technologies used, and divided into three technology user groups: low (using 0‐4 technologies, mostly administrative and radiographic technologies), intermediate (using 5‐7, more varied technologies) and high technology users (using 8‐12, including more innovative diagnostic technologies). Opinions on technology use and motivating work aspects were analysed using principal components analysis (PCA) and exploratory factor analysis. Scores on all components and factors were calculated for each respondent by computing the mean of all valid responses on the underlying items. Differences in these scale scores on opinions among the technology user groups were assessed using one‐way analysis of variance and Kruskal–Wallis tests. A multiple linear regression analysis assessed the association of scale scores about opinions on technology use with the sum of technologies used, taking into account motivating work aspects and characteristics of the dentist and dental practice. Results: The response rate was 31%. Dentists who were high technology users perceived technologies as yielding more improvements in quality of care, adding more value to the dental practice and being easier to use, than low technology users. High technology users thought technologies added more value to their work and they reported higher skills and resources. They also focused more on technologies and thought these are more ready to use than low technology users. High technology users derived more motivation from “Immediate results” and “Craftsmanship” than low technology users. Personal and practice characteristics, motivating work aspects, and the opinion scales “Focus” and “Added value to dentist” explained 50% of the variance in the number of technologies a dentist uses. Conclusion: Opinions on digital technologies among dentists and motivating work aspects vary with level of technology use. Being more focused on technologies and perceiving a higher added value from using them are associated with using more digital dental technologies, when taking into account motivating work aspects and characteristics of the dentist and dental practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate (1) the degree of digital technology adoption among general dental practitioners, and to assess (2) which personal and practice factors are associated with technology use. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among a stratified sample of 1000 general dental practitioners in the Netherlands, to measure the use of fifteen administrative, communicative, clinical and diagnostic technologies, as well as personal factors and dental practice characteristics. Results: The response rate was 31.3%; 65.1% replied to the questionnaire on paper and 34.9% online. Each specific digital technology was used by between 93.2% and 6.8% of the dentists. Administrative technologies were generally used by more dentists than clinical technologies. Dentists had adopted an average number of 6.3±2.3 technologies. 22.5% were low technology users (0 to 4 technologies), 46.2% were intermediate technology users (5 to 7 technologies) and 31.3% were high technology users (8 to12 technologies). High technology users more frequently had a specialization (p<0.001), were younger on average (p=0.024), and worked more hours per week (p=0.003) than low technology users, and invested more hours per year in professional activities (p=0.026) than intermediate technology users. High technology use was also more common for dentists working in practices with a higher average number of patients per year (p<0.001), with more dentists working in the practice (p<0.001) and with more staff (p<0.001). Conclusion: With few exceptions, all dentists use some or a substantial number of digital technologies. Technology use is associated with various patterns of person-specific factors, and is higher when working in larger dental practices. The findings provide insight into the current state of digital technology adoption in dental practices. Further exploration why some dentists are more reluctant to adopt technologies than others is valuable for the dental profession’s agility in adjusting to technological developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study is presented which examined work-related stress among dental health professionals in the Western Health and Social Services Board (WHSSB) area in Northern Ireland. The researchers measured burnout, job demands, work engagements and resources, and general psychological health, using questionnaires and statistical analysis. It is suggested that dental health professionals and other dental staff (DCP) are in need of help to prevent burnout.

Background: From 2002 onwards, a nationwide working group of representatives from all medical (8), dental (3) and veterinary medicine (1) schools collaborated in order to develop and implement recommendations for teaching and assessing professional behaviour. Aim: The aim of this article is to describe the outcomes of this process, including hurdles encountered and challenges to be met. Method: By a qualitative survey, information was requested on teaching professional behaviour, assessment, instruments used, consequences of unprofessional behaviour and faculty training. Results: All schools have adopted at least parts of the 2002 recommendations. Differences exist mainly in the organisational structure of teaching and assessment as well as in the assessment instruments used. In all schools a longitudinal assessment of professional behaviour was accomplished. Conclusion: All schools involved have made progress since 2002 with regard to teaching and assessment of professional behaviour, resulting in a shift from an instrumental to a cultural change for some schools. A stimulating factor was society's call to focus on patient safety and therefore on assessment of unprofessional behaviour. Hurdles yet to be taken are the involvement of students in the assessment process, teacher confidence in personal assessment capacities, remediation programmes and logistic and administrative support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the level of engagement among dentists, and subsequently, to investigate which dental job resources are positively correlated with engagement. Methods: By stratifying on gender, age, and region, a representative sample of 848 general dental practitioners was drawn at random, plus an extra group of 95 female dentists for gender comparison purposes. Engagement was assessed using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), consisting of three subscales: Vigor, Dedication; and Absorption. Job resources were measured using the Dentists’ Experienced Job Resources Scale (DEJRS). Results: Six hundred and thirty two dentists (67%) responded, 76% male and 25% female. Mean age: 44.6 years (SD = 9.0). Engagement: Dedication and Absorption mean scores were higher among dentists when compared with manual norm scores, based upon a variety of professions, whereas Vigor mean scores were comparable to manual norm scores. Job resources:‘Immediate results / Aesthetics’ and ‘(Long term) Patient results’ showed highest mean scores among all dentists. Gender differences were found on ‘(Long term) Patient results’ and ‘Patient care’. Engagement and job resources: All DEJRS subscales and the full scale showed statistically significant positive correlations (pmcc) with the UWES subscales. Conclusion: Dentists showed relatively high mean scores on an engagement measure when compared with manual norm scores. No gender differences in mean scores were found. Job resources most valued were ‘Immediate results / Aesthetics’. The job resources, ‘Idealism/Pride’ and ‘Patient care’, showed most predictive value with regard to engagement among dentists. In order to prevent burnout, it is recommended to raise dentists’ awareness of the importance to create sufficient time and space for stimulating aspects in their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gorter RC, Freeman R. Dentist–assistant communication style: perceived gender differences in The Netherlands and Northern Ireland. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2005; 33: 131–40.© Blackwell Munksgaard, 2005To assess communication style differences with the (female) dental assistant, as perceived by male and female dentists.Data were collected from 216 Dutch (male: 99; female: 117) and 261 Northern Irish (male: 135; female: 126) dentists (overall response rate: 60%). Respondents filled in a self-report questionnaire (one follow-up mailing), with 22 items on staff communication style. Using principal component analysis, four distinguishable factors could be extracted: businesslike leadership style (seven items, Cronbach'sα = 0.87), friendly leadership style (seven items,α = 0.87), professional interacting style (four items,α = 0.83) and gender interacting style (four items,α = 0.83).manovaindicated a main effect for gender [F(8,946) = 10.905,P < 0.001] and for country [F(4,474) =4.197,P = 0.002] on the communication style scales. Male dentists, compared with female colleagues, showed higher mean scores on businesslike leadership style and gender interacting style, whereas female dentists showed higher mean scores on friendly leadership style and professional interacting style. Dutch dentists showed higher mean scores on friendly leadership style and professional interacting style than their Northern Irish colleagues. No interaction effect between gender and country was found. Dentist's age and length of assistant's employment (in years) partly explained differences in means.Male and female dentists perceive their communication with the assistant differently; male dentists tend to be influenced by the gender differences, female dentists by striving for friendliness. Some country differences were found. Increasing influx of young female dentists underlines the relevance of this topic in dental education and for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to determine the long‐term effects of a burnout‐intervention program among Dutch dentists using a longitudinal design. Using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Dutch version: MBI‐NL), at the initial measurement in 1997 a 'burnout risk group' (n=171) was identified. This group received feedback on their scores and was invited to participate in an intervention program. Of the total group, 19 dentists participated in an intervention program. After the end of the intervention program, 92 dentists (the 19 participants and a control group) responded to a post‐intervention survey in 1998. These dentists were approached once more 1 yr later, and this time 78 dentists (84.8%) returned a questionnaire. While demonstrating an improvement on all subscales of the MBI‐NL at the first post‐test, results show that the program participants showed a relapse at the second post‐test. Controls who took action on their own initiative, on the other hand, reported a beneficial effect in the long run. Finally, controls that did not take any preventive action showed little or no progress. Possible causes for these findings are discussed, including the influence of coping style, perceived control, confounding factors, demand characteristics, and the necessity of post‐intervention follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was hypothesised that dentists with a high burnout risk would experience more health complaints and show more unhealthy behavior when compared with dentists with a low burnout risk. With a response rate of 75%, a representative group of 709 actively practicing dentists responded to a questionnaire containing the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-NL), a health complaints measure (VOEG), and items on health behavior. Results showed that dentists with a high burnout risk reported health complaints to a greater extent than dentists with a low burnout risk. They also reported more unhealthy behavior in some aspects (physical exercise/sporting, increase in alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet), but not in others. It also appeared that one out of ten dentists reported having poor general health, and that three out of ten reported to have poor physical condition. In general, dentists' self-reports appeared favourable in comparison with the Dutch population. It is concluded from this study that among dentists burnout and poor health are strongly related. It is discussed that in order to deal preventively with burnout in dentistry, attention to physical health, including ergonomics, is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional burnout, a long-term consequence of occupational stress, is considered to be a factor that explains a substantial proportion of incapacity for work. Burnout is defined as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment. Aims: To investigate levels of burnout among Dutch practising dentists, to compare dentists' scores with norm scores, and to determine the percentage of dentists "at risk". Methods: The instrument used was the Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-NL), a 20-item modified version of the original MBI. A highly representative group of Dutch dentists participated (n=709, 75% response rate). Results: Mean levels (and standard deviations) of burnout were: emotional exhaustion 13.7 (8.6); depersonalization 5.9 (3.9); personal accomplishment 30.8 (5.9). Dentists had more favourable means compared with standard scores, although in the 95th percentile dentists showed more emotional exhaustion than standards indicate. While no overall sex differences were found, male middle-aged dentists tended to show more burnout. Of the working Dutch dentists, 21% had a certain risk, 13% had high overall levels of burnout, and 2.5% were highly burned out. Conclusion: It is concluded that Dutch dentists have relatively favourable mean levels of burnout, but those who are exhausted are extremely exhausted. The male dentist in his forties appears to be most vulnerable to burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work stress among dentists has been described several times, indicating a diversity of causes of stress. Professional burnout among dentists has been the subject of empirical study only occasionally. The aim of the present study was to investigate which occupational factors are related to levels of burnout among Dutch dentists. A distinction was made between actual work place characteristics and experienced pressure from specific aspects of dental work. With a response rate of 75%, a representative group of 709 Dutch general dental practitioners responded to a questionnaire containing a Dutch version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI-NL), the Dentists' Experienced Work Stress Scale (DEWSS), and a collection of items on work place conditions. No actual work place condition could be demonstrated to be correlated with high burnout levels. Lack of career perspective appeared to be the stress factor most strongly related to burnout. Mean burnout levels of all dentists were found to be favourable in comparison with Dutch norm scores: dentists showed less Emotional Exhaustion, less Depersonalization, and more Personal Accomplishment. It is concluded that the relation between lack of career perspective and burnout should stimulate serious attention for career planning among dentists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic has had an immediate and dramatic impact on dental education. The Association of Dental Education in Europe decided to carry out an investigation to assess the immediate response of European Academic Dental Institutions. An online survey was sent to both member and non‐member dental schools to investigate the impact on non‐clinical and clinical education, assessment and the well‐being/pastoral care measures implemented. The preliminary findings and discussion are presented in this paper, for the responses collected between the 25 March and 5 April 2020. The survey at this time of publication is ongoing, and detailed results can be accessed https://adee.org/covid‐19‐european‐dental‐education%E2%80%99s‐immediate‐response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The curriculum of the three dental schools in the Netherlands consists of a three‐year bachelor's and three‐year master's course. The education programmes focus inter alia on clinical dental reasoning, thinking and acting scientifically, general oral healthcare activities, and communication and (inter)professional cooperation. This study examined how recently graduated dentists, in the light of their work experience, evaluate their education in retrospect. Materials and Methods: All 1074 dentists who graduated between 2012 and mid‐2017 were invited by e‐mail to answer a web survey. Of those, 314 (29%) took part in the study. Results: The majority of dentists were positive about their knowledge of general and clinical oral healthcare fields when they graduated (70% and 68%, respectively). Fewer dentists were satisfied with their skills in terms of some specific procedures (50%) and clinical professional areas (33%). By far, the majority (85%) were satisfied with the educational skills of their teachers. The majority (70%) felt that their education fitted in well with their professional practice. Nevertheless, 60% thought a year's trainee work experience would be a good idea. The overall evaluation of dentists who have their own practices was less positive than those who do not. Conclusion: Knowledge and skills relating to managing a practice were not sufficiently addressed in the programme. The introduction of a practical internship would be desirable, preferably during the education. But when they look back, the majority of recently graduated dentists in the Netherlands are generally positive about the education they received. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent development within burnout research is the shift to its conceptual opposite: work engagement. This study aimed to unravel the concepts of burnout and work engagement, and to determine their levels among dentists. A representative sample of 497 Dutch general dental practitioners was included (survey response rate of 59%), consisting of 372 men and 121 women (the gender of 4 dentists remained unknown). The hypothesized three-factor structure of work engagement (vigor, dedication, and absorption), as measured by the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES), was substantiated among dentists. It was also found that work engagement was related negatively to burnout, as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). However, a model consisting of a reduced (‘core’) burnout factor and an ‘enhanced’ engagement factor (composed of the three original factors plus the burnout factor, personal accomplishment) showed the best fit. Overall burnout levels among dentists are low, and the levels of engagement indicate that dentists have a positive working attitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge on the development of burnout among dentists is important for purposes of prevention and intervention. Using a two-wave longitudinal design, this study examined the chronological sequence of the three dimensions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory: emotional exhaustion; depersonalization; and personal accomplishment. Structural Equation Modelling was employed among a representative sample of Dutch dentists to examine the fit of several models proposed in earlier research. The results indicated that a model in which emotional exhaustion precedes depersonalization, which in turn precedes personal accomplishment, shows an adequate fit among dentists. However, an alternative model, in which personal accomplishment precedes emotional exhaustion, had an even better fit. In addition to the test of these a priori models, an ad hoc model was constructed that best fitted the current data. This model indicated emotional exhaustion to precede the development of depersonalization and personal accomplishment independently. Although not univocal, the results showed that emotional exhaustion should not be discarded as an early sign of burnout. This is in line with the view that emotional exhaustion can be considered as the key dimension of burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]