Health-Related Quality of Life of Dentists in Public Dental Healthcare in Brazil

This cross-section study aimed to evaluate the health-related quality of life in 230 dentists working in public dental healthcare service in Bahia, Brazil. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and a questionnaire were used covering work and socio-demographic information. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. Dentists had higher scores in Vitality (51,49) and Physical Functioning (51,35) domains; lower scores in General Health (43,25) and Social Functioning (47,78). Better Physical Component Summary was associated with Post-graduation in Public Health, absence of children, greater autonomy in work and contribution of work to the society, patients' access to the service and relationship with the patients (P<0.05). Higher scores in Mental Component Summary were associated with white ethnicity, absence of children and satisfaction with the relationship with patients, self-evaluation of work, and courses and training offered (P<0.05). The results alerts to the importance of work environment in personal life and occupational health.