Objective

To evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic, occupational and health factors, with Global mental workload and by its dimensions in dentists in Chile.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample consisting of 51 dentists working in a Chilean Municipal health department. Sociodemographic, occupational, and health variables were collected using a subjective assessment scale of mental burden and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Descriptive statistics were used, and the Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for the correlational analysis. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered. All analyses were performed using the spss Statistics v.25 software program.

Results

The average age of the sample was 37.5±9.5, and 64.7 % were women. A significant correlation was found between the income level and pace of work (p=0.021). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the type of workday and consequences for health (p=0.029). Additionally, there were significant correlations between adequate infrastructure (p=0.035) and hours of contract (p=0.003) with work characteristics. The presence of chronic pathologies was inversely related to the pace of work, and state anxiety showed a negative relationship with work characteristics and health.

Conclusion

Female dentists have a higher perception of mental workload than male dentists. Adequate infrastructure is significantly and positively associated with the perception of mental workload, while symptoms of state anxiety are significantly and negatively correlated with the perception of mental workload.