Quality of life among dentists of a local public health service

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess quality of life and related factors among dentists of a local public health service. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out comprising dentists working (N=237) in the city of Goiânia, Midwesthern Brazil, in 2004. Data were collected using a questionnaire including the WHOQOL-Bref instrument, demographic data and occupation information, and self-rated health status and quality of life. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations. RESULTS: Response rate was 62.9% (N=149). The physical domain had the highest mean scores (70.3; SD=14.6) and the environment domain had the lowest mean scores (59.4; SD=13.7). Most dentists had low quality of life in the physical (51.0%) and psychological domains (52.3%) and high quality of life in the social relationships (50.3%) and environment domains (59.1%). The multiple logistic regression showed an association between self-rated health status and satisfaction and the physical domain; and self-rated quality of life and the physical, psychological and environment domains. CONCLUSIONS: The occupation group studied showed low quality of life in the physical and psychological domains and high quality of life in the social relationships and environment domains, which were associated to self-rated quality of life, current health status and satisfaction.