The role of occupational stress in the maladaptive use of alcohol by dentists: A study of South Australian general dental practitioners

To a significant extent, stress and hazardous alcohol consumption are both present among South Australian dentists. However, compared with work stress/burnout, existing personal vulnerability factors are much stronger predictors of such hazardous alcohol consumption. We suggest that professional dental bodies, and state Dental Boards, may play a role in ensuring stress inoculation and guidance on safe limits of alcohol consumption for dentists-in-training; and in creating appropriate mechanisms for assisting dentists who experience alcohol related difficulties.