Other
Gracen M. Marriott, DDS
Resident
University of Texas —San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
UT Health Science Center San Antonio School of Dentistry
San antonio, Texas, United States
Hennah Shamji, DMD, MPH
University of Texas Health San Antonio
Maria Jose Cervantes Mendez, DDS
Postdoctoral Program Director in Pediatric Dentistry
Univeristy of Texas Health Science Center - San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, United States
Claudia I. Contreras, DDS
Faculty
University of Texas Health San Antonio
UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the mental health of pediatric dentists to that of the general population in the United States using validated assessment tools for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression.
Methods: An online survey composed of the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7)1 and PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9)2 questions was sent via email to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists listserv of pediatric dentists. Each survey contained questions regarding the frequency of symptoms of anxiety and depression experienced over a 2-week period. Results from the survey were compared to recent National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data reports describing anxiety and depression rates among U.S. adults based on GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores.
Results: Response rate to this survey was approximately 5% (n = 367). Prevalence of mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression was 28%, 14%, 4%, and 2%, respectively. Scoring above the moderate range is considered clinically significant for depression3. Prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe anxiety was 33%, 15%, and 5%, respectively. 47% had minimal or no anxiety. Overall, there were significantly higher rates of both anxiety and depression symptoms (P < .001) in pediatric dentists compared to the U.S. adult population.3,4
Conclusion: There may be higher rates of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression among pediatric dentists when compared to the general population of adults in the United States.