Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence
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 respo...
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| Format: | Article |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10953-8 |
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| author | Yasmin Fonseca Mayara Rangel Nikolaos Angelakopoulos Irina Makeeva João Marcos da Costa Ribeiro Luiz Renato Paranhos Ademir Franco |
| author_facet | Yasmin Fonseca Mayara Rangel Nikolaos Angelakopoulos Irina Makeeva João Marcos da Costa Ribeiro Luiz Renato Paranhos Ademir Franco |
| author_sort | Yasmin Fonseca |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c63a7bc5c1ce48748bd5e2778483bbb7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-c63a7bc5c1ce48748bd5e2778483bbb72025-08-20T03:45:56ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511710.1038/s41598-025-10953-8Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violenceYasmin Fonseca0Mayara Rangel1Nikolaos Angelakopoulos2Irina Makeeva3João Marcos da Costa Ribeiro4Luiz Renato Paranhos5Ademir Franco6Division of Forensic Dentistry, Faculdade São Leopoldo MandicDepartment of Dentistry, Universidade Cruzeiro do SulDivision of Forensic Dentistry, Faculdade São Leopoldo MandicDepartment of Therapeutic Stomatology, Institute of Dentistry, Sechenov UniversityDentistry post-graduate researcher, Universidade Federal de UberlândiaDepartment of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de UberlândiaDivision of Forensic Dentistry, Faculdade São Leopoldo MandicAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10953-8DentistFemaleForensic dentistryViolenceWomen |
| spellingShingle | Yasmin Fonseca Mayara Rangel Nikolaos Angelakopoulos Irina Makeeva João Marcos da Costa Ribeiro Luiz Renato Paranhos Ademir Franco Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence Scientific Reports Dentist Female Forensic dentistry Violence Women |
| title | Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence |
| title_full | Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence |
| title_fullStr | Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence |
| title_full_unstemmed | Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence |
| title_short | Vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence |
| title_sort | vulnerability of female dentists to workplace violence |
| topic | Dentist Female Forensic dentistry Violence Women |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10953-8 |
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