OCCUPATIONAL STRESS FACTORS IN-HOSPITAL DENTISTS

This investigation examined perceived stress levels, personality chara cteristics and stress outcomes in a group of hospital dentists working in Belfast. Mean scores for this group were also compared with normat ive values. The occupational stress indicator was distributed to 45 ho spital dentists; 40 returned the completed questionnaire. The mean sco re for each stress-related factor was analysed and compared with norma tive values. In addition the ranked scores for sources of stress were examined, and no significant differences could be demonstrated between the two groups. However, for external locus of control this group of hospital dentists demonstrated a significantly higher mean score of 42 .3 than the mean normative value of 38.6. The dentists' score for thei r perception of their state of physical ill health was 23.9 and was si gnificantly lower than the normative value of 27.8 but no differences could be demonstrated between the groups for mental health, Type A per sonality or mean stress levels.