Posted by Amy Carbone on Mar 26, 2025 9:53:55 AM
Dental school is one of the most demanding educational paths, filled with long hours, heavy workloads, and high expectations. While it’s normal to feel stress from time to time, when it turns into chronic exhaustion, it can lead to burnout — an overwhelming feeling of emotional, physical, and mental fatigue.
Understanding how to prevent burnout in dental school is crucial for surviving the program and thriving in your career as a dentist.
In this blog, we’ll explore stress in dentistry and strategies to prevent burnout and maintain your well-being throughout dental school.
Stress vs. Burnout
Stress is a response to pressure and is generally temporary, while burnout results from prolonged stress and emotional exhaustion. Let’s break this down further.
Dental School Stress
Stress is natural, and some stress in short bursts can have positive outcomes. However, dental school stress arises from a unique set of pressures — rigorous coursework, long hours in the clinic, exams, and the constant need for perfection.
In fact, stress remains a significant issue even after graduation. Over 90% of dentists report feeling stressed about their careers. In that survey, insurance reimbursement (53%) and workforce shortages (49%) were reported as the two most common major stressors, with patients, debt (primarily student loans), inflation, staff issues, and work-life balance as other causes of stress.
Dental School Burnout
Burnout is the overwhelming impact of persistent, unmanaged stress at work. In dental school, burnout can take the form of emotional exhaustion, detachment, and a sense of incompetence.
Unfortunately, burnout is common for dental students and the topic regularly crops up in online forums and casual conversations. You’ll find that burnout also may continue into the practice workplace, evidenced by the fact that the ADA Communications Trend Report for 2024 found that nearly 40% of dentists report feeling “defeated” and 58% of dentists who report major stress said they were considering changing careers or retiring early.
The techniques you learn today to avoid burnout in dental school will serve you throughout your career.
How to Prevent Burnout in Dental School
Preventing burnout in school involves proactive strategies for managing stress and maintaining mental and physical health. The sooner you adopt these habits, the better prepared you will be for the pressures of dental school and beyond.
Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for maintaining your energy and focus throughout dental school. This includes:
Sleep: Aim for at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night to help with concentration and emotional resilience.
Healthy Eating: Fuel your body with nutritious meals and snacks to maintain your energy levels and prevent crashes.
Exercise: Regular physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Even a short walk can improve your mood.
Eliminate Out-of-School Busywork
You may find yourself saying yes to additional tasks outside of school that are either unnecessary or can be managed more efficiently. Take stock of what you’re spending time on and find ways to streamline or delegate these tasks. For example:
- Use shopping delivery services to save time.
- Ask roommates for help with household chores.
- Plan errands in advance to avoid feeling overwhelmed by last-minute tasks.
Identify Strategies to Decompress… and Schedule Time for Them
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that there’s no time for relaxation during dental school, but it’s crucial to carve out time for activities that help you decompress.
Find what helps you recharge, whether it’s hiking, reading, or spending time with friends. Then, schedule it into your calendar like any other important activity. This could mean setting aside time on the weekends for a hobby or even a few minutes a day for deep breathing exercises.
Invest in Relationships With Family and Friends
At the same time that you’re open with the people you care about and ask for their help, remember to invest in your relationships with them.
Look for shared experiences to demonstrate that you value them and their interests. Attending a family BBQ, joining your friends’ trivia team at the local pub, rafting the river rapids, or engaging in other activities provide authentic opportunities for connection and a much-needed outlet for stress.
Utilize Available Wellness Programs
Most schools offer wellness programs for a reason — stress and burnout in dental school are common. These programs may include stress management courses, mental health counseling, wellness coaching, and more.
Don’t hesitate to make use of these resources, and plan to use similar resources after graduation. In fact, stress in dentistry is so common that you’ll find post-dental school resources through the American Dental Association State Well-Being Programs.
Manage Today and Plan for the Future
Taking steps to prevent burnout in dental school doesn’t only improve your current experience; it sets the foundation for your future career. As you near the end of your dental school journey, take the time to plan for what’s next — both personally and professionally.
A secure financial foundation may provide the peace of mind you need to make the most of your studies, so make sure you have a strategy in place before you begin a specialty program or enter into practice. Take control of your future and protect the investment you’ve made in your education by relying on advisors who understand the stresses you’re facing in dental school and will streamline the process of getting appropriate coverage.
Get started today with our complimentary Post Dental School Survival Guide and take control of your future today.
About Treloar & Heisel
Treloar & Heisel, an EPIC Company, is a premier financial services provider to dental and medical professionals across the country. We assist thousands of clients from residency to practice and through retirement with a comprehensive suite of financial services, custom-tailored advice, and a strong national network focused on delivering the highest level of service.
Insurance products offered through Treloar & Heisel, LLC.
