Introduction: Occupational psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress can affect the mental health and professional performance of dentists. This study aimed to investigate the level of depression, anxiety, and stress and the factors affecting them in dentists working in Markazi Province in 2025.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 280 practicing dentists. Data included demographic characteristics and the DASS-21 questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, independent t-tests and ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multivariate regression were used to determine predictors.
Results: The participants' mean age was 36 ± 8 years, with a gender distribution of 55% male and 45% female. The mean work experience was 12 years, and the average weekly working hours were approximately 44. The mean DASS-21 scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were 18.0, 14.0, and 19.0, respectively. The mean levels of depression and stress were in the 'moderate' range, while anxiety was below moderate. Severity distribution showed about one-third of participants scored 'moderate or higher' on at least one scale. Correlations indicated that as age and work experience increased, levels of depression (r=-0.21, -0.23), anxiety (r=-0.18, -0.19), and stress (r=-0.15, -0.16) decreased. In contrast, longer weekly working hours were associated with increased depression (r=+0.29), anxiety (r=+0.32), and stress (r=+0.35).
Conclusion: The results show that a portion of dentists in Markazi Province faced significant levels of depression and stress in 2025, and anxiety was more prevalent in women. Longer working hours and younger age/less work experience were factors associated with increased psychological symptoms.