There has always been a rumor that dentists have the highest suicide rate, but when one looks at data that is not the case. No one is 100% sure where this rumor started. I’ve heard it comes from the days when dentists mixed amalgam by hand or from some study in the 60’s or 70’s that had dentists on a long list of professionals with elevated suicide risks. Either way the research does not bear this to be true. However, our profession is not without peril! We are exposed to biological risks, chemical risks, and issues related with maintaining poor posture day-in and day-out. This report puts dental care near the top of the list for careers that damage your health. I cropped our profession.
2. Dentists and Dental Hygienists/Assistants and Dental Lab Technicians
Overall unhealthiness score: 62.9
What they do: Examine, diagnose, and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting oral hygiene and retention of teeth. May fit dental appliances or provide preventive care.
Top three health risks:
Exposure to disease and infections: 87.8
Exposure to contaminants: 76.2
Time spent sitting: 73.6
630-665-5550