The Effect of Violent Experience on Burnout among Some Dental Hygienists

This study investigated the effect of violent experience on burnout among some dental hygienists. The study subjects were 242 dental hygienists working at dental clinics. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire including information such as demographics, work-related characteristics, working environment, experience of violence, and burnout. The violence was classified as verbal violence, physical threat, or physical violence committed by dentists, patients, or caregivers. Descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to examine the factors associated with burnout. The levels of verbal violence, physical threat, and physical violence by dentists were $0.53{\pm}1.26$, $1.12{\pm}2.70$, and $0.04{\pm}0.42$, respectively. The levels of verbal violence, physical threat, and physical violence by patients and caregivers were $1.50{\pm}1.89$, $1.41{\pm}2.24$, and $0.24{\pm}1.38$, respectively. The score of burnout was $3.13{\pm}0.43$. Total violence, verbal violence, and physical violence by dentists were positively correlated with burnout. Total violence, verbal violence, and physical threat by patients and caregivers were positively correlated with burnout. In multiple linear regression analysis, the level of physical violence by dentists was positively associated with burnout of dental hygienists (${\beta}=0.95$, p=0.032). The levels of total physical violence (${\beta}=0.28$, p=0.002), verbal violence (${\beta}=0.15$, p<0.001), and physical threat (${\beta}=0.19$, p=0.009) by the patients or caregivers were positively associated with burnout of dental hygienists. This study examined the association between violence and burnout among dental hygienists. The level of violence showed positive correlation with burnout. Environment improvement to protect employees from violence and for management of employees who experienced workplace violence are needed to reduce the burnout.