You know, I have heard all my life about dentists being at such risk for commiting suicide, but I also keep hearing that it's a myth. I've just done a few searches for "dentist suicide," "dentist suicide rate," and "dentist suicide statistics," and I'm just not finding anything relevant.
Can someone actually cite a study - even ONE study - or provide me with a link that supports the popular claim that dentists have a high risk of suicide?
Thanks.
2006-08-22 16:52:39 · 10 answers · asked by Picture Taker 7 in Health ➔ Mental Health
This was directly from Pubmed, a handy online database that let's you search thousands of peer-reviewed journals.
1: J Am Dent Assoc. 2001 Jun;132(6):786-94. Links
Stress-related suicide by dentists and other health care workers. Fact or folklore?
* Alexander RE.
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Pharmacology, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, P.O. Box 660677, Dallas, Texas 75266-0677, USA. ralexander@tambcd.edu
BACKGROUND: The media repeatedly portrays dentists and other health professionals as being at risk of committing suicide. While this message often is accepted without question, there are little reliable data available that verifies this alleged risk. The relationship between professional stress and suicide, if any, has not been substantiated or quantified. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The author evaluated the contemporary literature on stress and suicide in health professionals in an effort to verify or refute the widely held belief that dentists and other health care professionals are at higher risk of committing stress-related suicide. The author also surveyed dental schools to determine what efforts were being made to provide students with stress-management skills. RESULTS: The author found that there is little valid evidence that dentists are more prone to suicide than the general population, although some related data suggest that female dentists may be more vulnerable. Large-scale studies are needed before firmer conclusions can be reached. The author's survey shows that dental students generally receive some education on stress management, but many dental hygiene and graduate students do not. The author makes several recommendations for future research. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Although some dentists leave the profession by way of suicide or career change at a time when their careers should be the most rewarding, available data on stress and its impact on suicide incidence are inconclusive and flawed. The profession needs to identify the causes of stress-related suicides and provide assistance to those people who are affected by stress.
PMID: 11433860 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2006-08-22 17:11:31 · answer #1 · answered by d 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The reason that the suicide rate for dentists is higher than in other medical professions is because they're always so down in the mouth (sorry, that was just too easy).
Seriously...here is a site that cites some actual research statistics.
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010420.html
2006-08-23 00:04:41 · answer #2 · answered by rhubarb3142 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't cite a study, but I think it's a myth. I'm not a dentist, but I work in the dental industry. It's been my observation that most dentists love their work. My own dentist didn't retire until he was in his early 80's. He didn't need the money. He just loved dentistry.
2006-08-22 23:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to this article I read, it's really difficult to be positive of the accuracy of most suicide rates anyway. Personally, I think her resources are a little outdated, but check out this website for the article. Studies?? I don't have that kind of time right now, but I am sure the results would be fascinating
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/010420.html
2006-08-23 00:09:03 · answer #4 · answered by pdubie2005 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard that. My dentist seems really happy. It would be a really big shock if he commited suicide.
2006-08-23 00:09:14 · answer #5 · answered by I'm awesome! 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only time I ever heard that was just the other night watching The Whole Nine Yards.
2006-08-22 23:58:47 · answer #6 · answered by mom_of_geniuses 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard this too. Go to google. Or go to your public library and ask your librarian or check the periodicals.
I know teenagers have a high suicde rate, especially in Japan.
2006-08-22 23:57:29 · answer #7 · answered by fullofsunshine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never heard anything like that, my dentist would never do that.
2006-08-23 00:45:27 · answer #8 · answered by angel74 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no , my dentist is a really happy guy, just don't think about it.
2006-08-22 23:54:50 · answer #9 · answered by lol 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
why do u wanna know??? thx for the 2 points
2006-08-22 23:58:05 · answer #10 · answered by native,pride 5 · 0⤊ 6⤋