The purposes of this study was to identify factors that contribute to dentists´ job stress and overall quality of their lives. Data for this study were obtained by 1,029 dentists who were selected by stratified systematic sampling method among 10,357 registered dentists in KAE*aon Dental Association. The questionnaire consisted of 29 items with a 5 point likert response format which were measured dentists´ job stress and satisfaction and seven facets of the job: relationships with patients, delivery of care, staff, income, personal time, professional time and occupational mission. Data were analyzed with 615 collected mailing questionnaire by SAS 6.01 and LISREL 8.12. The obtained results were as follows;
1. In the comparison of clinical and non-clinical stress, job stress was more serious in female, more working dentists per week, non-specialist, and the dentists who have lesser dental assistants,
2. The linear structure equation model was statistically appropriate and well fit. By the model, the personal and practice characteristics of dentists were directly influenced on clinical and non-clinical stress but were indirectly influenced on job satisfaction. Also the clinical and non-clinical stress were negatively influenced on job satisfaction.
In summary, it is recommended that dentists themselves try to improve their own working circumstances in order to relieve the factors which cause them dissatisfaction.
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