Practice managers and receptionists under pressure, study finds
Failure to address the issues will have an impact on their ability to deliver high-quality care.
Pressures in the dental workplace are having a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of practice managers and receptionists, a study has found.
It said that “failure to address the issues identified is likely to have an impact on the ability of this crucial workforce to deliver high-quality care.”
The study aimed to explore the mental health and wellbeing of dental practice managers and receptionists in the UK and inform opportunities for further study.
Practice managers and receptionists were invited to participate in an online questionnaire collecting quantitative and qualitative data on current levels of burnout, depressed mood, experienced trauma and preparedness to provide quality care in dental teams.
Staff reported “high levels of negative psychosocial impact, including depressive symptomology, burnout and trauma,” said the study. Increasing pressures on staff, challenging relationships with patients and colleagues, and lack of recognition were identified as key stressors.
The researchers said: “The majority of wellbeing studies to date have focused primarily upon dentists and, to a lesser extent, other registered members of the dental team.
“This study makes a novel contribution in exploring the mental health and wellbeing of administrative staff, specifically dental practice managers and receptionists, in UK dental workplaces.”
They added: “There is significant scope for further study into the work and experiences of this crucially important yet under-researched occupational group.”