Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence

TL;DR

This study shows that female dentists in São Paulo face high rates of workplace violence, especially verbal and psychological abuse, and highlights the need for better support and prevention strategies.

Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors and the unique vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence in a Brazilian context.

Findings

Approximately 55% of female dentists experienced some form of workplace violence.

Intimidation and stalking by patients significantly increased the likelihood of violence exposure.

Psychological treatment was the most common form of support sought by affected dentists.

Abstract

Workplace violence is a significant public health issue, particularly affecting female healthcare professionals. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the vulnerability of female dentists in São Paulo, Brazil, to workplace violence. A sample of 165 female dentists participated by responding to a structured digital questionnaire. The findings revealed that approximately 55% of the respondents had experienced some form of violence, with verbal and psychological abuse being the most common. Intimidation and stalking by patients or their companions were significant predictors of such incidents, increasing the likelihood of exposure by 16-fold (p < 0.001) and 3-fold (p = 0.001), respectively. Dentists in public healthcare services and those assisted by clinical staff were more frequently exposed to workplace violence. Among the respondents, 28% sought help, with psychological treatment being the most utilized form of support (p < 0.001), especially among less experienced professionals (p = 0.034). Although certain environmental and professional variables, such as working alone or during night shifts, did not reach statistical significance, they remained important factors for risk assessment. The results highlight the intimate nature of dental practice as a potential vulnerability factor, particularly due to the prolonged close contact with patients and their companions. This study underscores the importance of implementing preventive and protective strategies, including digital monitoring tools and institutional support, and advocates for accessible mental health resources to help mitigate the impact of workplace violence on female dentists.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-10953-8.

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