She is also a clinical instructor at University of Pacific School of Dentistry and an editor for Dentistry On-Line. Dear Denise, Reports have repeatedly shown that male dentists and physicians, in particular, have suicide rates twice that of men in other jobs. There is a lot of speculation about why this seems to be true. I think stress is a major factor. Let's face it, a trip to the dentist is not a preferred activity for most people.
Most people delay going to the dentist until they are in severe pain.
Some people also get upset when they find out their dental insurance does not cover the cost of the procedure that is recommended by the dentist to treat their condition. These factors add stress to the profession. Inaccurate portrayals of dental visits in the media perpetuate the stress associated with a dental visit. The overhead costs involved in maintaining a dental office are very high and financial concerns can also be stressful. Despite the stress, I still enjoy the profession very much.