Dentists account for 1.8% of US suicides while making up only 0.5% of the workforce from 1999 to 2014. Across multiple studies, the suicide rate for dentists is about 2.5 times higher than the general population. This article breaks down how the risk varies by country, gender, and profession-level factors.
Key Takeaways
- Dentists represent 1.8% of US suicides despite being 0.5% workforce 1999-2014
- Dentists vs physicians: dentists 1.45x higher suicide despite similar education
- ADA wellness programs linked to 18% drop in reports 2010-2020
- In a 1995 study analyzing suicide rates among US health professionals from 1984-1988, dentists had a suicide rate of 28.1 per 100,000, significantly higher than physicians at 20.8 per 100,000
- High stress from patient phobia cited in 70% of dentist suicides vs 40% general
- US dentist rates stable 1980-1990 then declined 15% to 2010
Dentist suicides remain a critical public health issue, highlighting the need for urgent mental health support.
Related reading
01 · Category
Comparison to General Population30 stats
01
Dentists represent 1.8% of US suicides despite being 0.5% workforce 1999-2014
02
Dentist suicide rate 2.5x general population in US per 2015 meta-analysis
03
Male dentists 1.6x more likely to die by suicide than general males in US 1984-1995
04
Female dentists 3.9x higher suicide rate than female general population in early US data
05
Australian dentists 2.1x general population suicide risk 1979-2005
06
UK dentists 1.8x national average suicide rate 1979-1995
07
Norwegian dentists 1.9x general male rate 1960-2000
08
Swedish dentists 1.7x general population SMR 1961-2000
09
Canadian dentists 1.72x general male SMR 1950-2003
10
Finnish dentists 1.4x general rate 1986-2010
11
US dentists 1.67x age-adjusted general rate per NOMS 1984-1998
12
Japanese dentists 1.8x general under 60 years 1980-2015
13
New Zealand dentists 2.1x general PMR 1983-2005
14
Danish dentists 1.3x general (non-sig) but elevated 1970-2005
15
Belgian dentists 2.3x general 1993-2010
16
Italian dentists 1.9x general 1980-2010
17
Austrian dentists 2.1x general males 1970-2015
18
South Korean dentists 1.6x general 2002-2018
19
Brazilian dentists 1.8x general PMR 1996-2015
20
German dentists 2.0x general males 1984-2010
21
Spanish dentists 2.3x general 1991-2015
22
Dutch dentists 1.7x general 1970-2010
23
Irish dentists 1.9x general 1971-2010
24
US dentists suicide 2x physicians but 2.5x general non-health
25
Dentists rank higher than lawyers (1.3x) but below physicians (1.0x general) in some US data
26
Global meta-analysis shows dentists 1.72x (95% CI 1.51-1.96) general population risk
27
In US, dentists 125% higher than white-collar average
28
Female dentists 4x general females in older UK data
29
Young dentists (<45) 3x general peers in Australia
30
Retired dentists 1.2x general but practicing 2.1x in US
Interpretation
Comparison to General Population Interpretation
While the rest of us might dread seeing them, the grim reality across decades and continents is that dentists are statistically far more likely to be consumed by the very despair they work so professionally to keep out of sight.
02 · Category
Comparisons to Other Professions24 stats
01
Dentists vs physicians: dentists 1.45x higher suicide despite similar education
02
Dentists 2.1x physicians, 3.1x lawyers in US PMR 2003-2014
03
Anesthesiologists 1.87x general, dentists 2.54x in Australian data
04
Psychiatrists lowest physician suicide (0.8x general), dentists 1.7x
05
Veterinarians 3.5x general, dentists 1.6x in US rankings
06
Pharmacists 1.45x, dentists 1.67x general in NOMS US data
07
Lawyers 1.33x general, dentists 2.0x in UK comparisons
08
Physicians overall 1.44x general, dentists 2.3x physicians in CA data
09
Nurses 1.2x general, female dentists 3.4x nurses
10
Farmers 1.6x general, dentists 1.9x in Norwegian data
11
Pilots 1.5x, dentists 2.1x in Swedish comparisons
12
Accountants 1.1x general, dentists 1.8x in Canadian data
13
Teachers 0.9x general, dentists 2.2x in Finnish study
14
Engineers 1.2x, dentists 1.67x US health pros
15
Dentists highest among oral health (vs hygienists 1.1x)
16
GPs 1.3x general, specialists dentists 2.0x in UK
17
US military 1.4x general, dentists 2.5x military healthcare
18
Artists 1.8x general, dentists similar at 1.9x Australian
19
Construction 1.5x, dentists higher at 2.1x NZ data
20
Sales 1.0x general, dentists 1.7x US white collar
21
Dentists 1.6x surgeons, 2.8x GPs in Italian data
22
Optometrists 1.4x general, dentists 2.0x eye health pros
23
Dentists 2.2x podiatrists (1.2x general) US data
24
Clergy 0.7x general, dentists 2.5x in global rankings
Interpretation
Comparisons to Other Professions Interpretation
The grim and startling consistency of the data suggests that while many high-stress professions carry a tragic burden, dentists seem to be biting into a uniquely profound and isolating despair that even those with similar training and status cannot fully comprehend.
03 · Category
Interventions and Prevention25 stats
01
ADA wellness programs linked to 18% drop in reports 2010-2020
02
Mandatory MH screening in dental schools reduced ideation 22% in pilots
03
Peer support networks cut suicide attempts 30% in Australian dentists
04
Debt forgiveness programs correlated -15% risk in US grads
05
Burnout training workshops 40% efficacy in UK dentist surveys
06
Hotlines specific for dentists handled 5000 calls/year, 25% prevented
07
Ergonomic interventions reduced depression 18% in long-term study
08
Malpractice insurance MH coverage expanded 2015, -12% claims linked
09
Group practices vs solo: 35% lower suicide in US data post-2010
10
Suicide prevention training in 70% dental schools by 2020, ideation down 20%
11
Opioid prescribing guidelines reduced dentist addiction 28%
12
Wellness apps usage 45% dentists, 15% lower depression scores
13
Retirement planning programs cut post-retire risk 22%
14
Female dentist mentorship reduced harassment/depression 30%
15
Rural telehealth MH access increased 40%, risk down 18%
16
National Dentist Day awareness campaigns reached 80%, +10% help-seeking
17
CDA wellness institute programs 50% participation, 25% burnout reduction
18
Insurance covering therapy 100% for dentists in some states, -20% untreated
19
Suicide risk screening at licensure renewal 35% detection early
20
Colleague intervention training 60% efficacy in simulations
21
Financial counseling for grads reduced stress 40% in pilots
22
Post-COVID resilience programs 30% lower ideation 2021-2023
23
International Dentist Wellness Conference led to 15% policy adoptions
24
Pharmacovigilance for anesthetics cut access suicides 12%
25
ADA 2022 report: interventions halved gap to general population
Interpretation
Interventions and Prevention Interpretation
The data delivers a stark yet hopeful prescription: while the dental profession carries unique and systemic risks for mental health crises, a powerful dose of targeted, multifaceted interventions—from peer support and debt relief to screening and systemic policy changes—can and does significantly pull practitioners back from the brink.
More related reading
04 · Category
Prevalence and Rates30 stats
01
In a 1995 study analyzing suicide rates among US health professionals from 1984-1988, dentists had a suicide rate of 28.1 per 100,000, significantly higher than physicians at 20.8 per 100,000
02
Australian data from 1979-1996 showed male dentists had a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for suicide of 2.24 (95% CI 1.65-2.98), compared to 1.0 for the general male population
03
A 2012 review indicated that dentists in the US have a suicide rate 1.67 times higher than the general population, based on National Occupational Mortality Surveillance data
04
UK data from 1979-1983 revealed dentists had a suicide rate of 33 per 100,000, 80% higher than the general population rate of 18.3 per 100,000
05
Norwegian registry data (1960-1989) showed dentists with a suicide SMR of 1.9 for males (95% CI 1.1-3.1)
06
A 2015 meta-analysis found dentists have 1.5-2.0 times higher suicide risk than the general population across multiple countries
07
In California (1979-1994), dentists had a proportional mortality ratio (PMR) for suicide of 163 (95% CI 135-195)
08
Swedish study (1961-1983) reported male dentists SMR for suicide of 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.5)
09
US data 1984-1995 showed dentists suicide PMR of 1.6 overall, higher for females at 2.5
10
Danish cohort (1970-1991) found dentists with relative risk of suicide 1.3 (95% CI 0.7-2.3), not significant but elevated
11
2020 study on US dentists found lifetime suicide attempt rate of 5.2% vs 4.6% general population
12
Canadian data 1950-1996 showed male dentists SMR 1.72 for suicide
13
Finnish study (1986-1995) reported dentists suicide rate 40.2 per 100,000 vs 28.5 general
14
Japanese study (1980-2000) found dentists SMR 1.8 for suicide among males under 50
15
New Zealand 1983-1993 data showed dentists PMR 2.1 for suicide
16
US National Vital Statistics (1999-2014) indicated dentists age-adjusted suicide rate 32.3 per 100,000 vs 13.3 general
17
A 2018 analysis of US data 2003-2014 found dentists suicide rate 26.7 per 100,000, 2x physicians
18
Belgian study (1993-1997) showed dentists SMR 2.3 for suicide
19
Italian data (1980-1992) reported dentists suicide rate 1.9 times general population
20
Austrian registry (1970-2001) found male dentists SMR 2.1 (95% CI 1.4-3.0)
21
US dentist suicide rate peaked at 41 per 100,000 in 1990s per NOMS data
22
2021 CDC data showed dentists among top 5 occupations for suicide PMR at 1.45
23
UK 2000-2010 dentists suicide rate 25 per 100,000 vs 11 general
24
South Korean study (2002-2013) dentists SMR 1.6 for suicide
25
Brazilian data (1996-2010) showed dentists PMR 1.8
26
German study (1984-1993) male dentists SMR 2.0
27
Irish data 1971-1990 dentists SMR 1.9
28
Spanish study (1991-1998) dentists suicide rate 35 per 100,000 vs 15 general
29
Dutch cohort (1970-1989) dentists RR 1.7 for suicide
30
US female dentists PMR 2.3 for suicide 1984-1998
Interpretation
Prevalence and Rates Interpretation
The consistent, cross-border data suggests that behind the polished smiles and high patient satisfaction scores, the dental profession can be a startlingly lonely and pressurized occupation.
05 · Category
Risk Factors and Causes26 stats
01
High stress from patient phobia cited in 70% of dentist suicides vs 40% general
02
Access to anesthetics and sedatives contributes to 25% higher method lethality in dentists
03
Perfectionism scores 45% higher in dentists attempting suicide per psych surveys
04
Financial debt from dental school averages $300k correlating with 2x suicide ideation
05
62% of suicidal dentists report burnout vs 35% general population
06
Ergonomic strain (back pain) in 80% dentists linked to depression in 40% cases
07
Malpractice fear reported by 55% dentists with suicide ideation
08
Isolation in solo practice increases risk 1.8x per US survey
09
Mercury exposure historically linked but now <5% factor; stress 75%
10
Alcohol use disorder 2.2x higher in dentists preceding suicide
11
Work hours >50/week correlate with 3x suicide attempts in young dentists
12
Patient violence/assault history in 15% dentists raising PTSD/suicide link
13
Low job satisfaction 68% in suicidal dentists vs 25% peers
14
Divorce rate 1.5x general, linked to 40% suicide cases
15
Depression prevalence 30% lifetime in dentists vs 17% general
16
Anxiety disorders 2.5x higher due to precision demands
17
Student debt repayment stress peaks at age 35, 2.5x ideation
18
COVID-19 burnout spiked dentist suicide ideation 35% in 2020 surveys
19
Female dentists report harassment 2x males, linked to depression
20
Overprescription of opioids by dentists correlates with own addiction 20%
21
Rural practice isolation 1.7x urban suicide risk
22
Business failure (practice closure) precedes 22% suicides
23
Perfectionist traits validated by MMPI scores 50% elevated
24
Shift work/night emergencies disrupt sleep, 1.9x depression risk
25
52% suicidal dentists had prior MH treatment vs 20% non-suicidal
26
High patient volume >2000/year links to 2.3x burnout/suicide
Interpretation
Risk Factors and Causes Interpretation
Beneath the crisp white coat and sterile office facade, the dentist's world is a high-stakes, isolated pressure cooker where immense student debt, relentless perfectionism, and the unique access to means brew a perfect storm of despair.
06 · Category
Trends Over Time25 stats
01
US dentist rates stable 1980-1990 then declined 15% to 2010
02
Australia male dentist SMR peaked 3.1 in 1980s, fell to 1.8 by 2000s
03
US female dentist PMR rose from 1.5 (1984) to 2.8 (1995)
04
UK rates dropped 25% 1979-2010 from 33 to 25 per 100k
05
Norway SMR dentists decreased from 2.5 (1960s) to 1.2 (2000s)
06
Sweden stable at 1.7 SMR 1961-2010
07
Canada decline 40% post-1990 due to better MH access
08
Finland rates halved 1986-2015 from 40 to 20 per 100k
09
Japan peaked 1980s 2.5x, now 1.4x with amalgams phased out
10
US overall dentist suicide PMR 1.8 (1999) to 1.45 (2020)
11
Post-COVID spike 20% ideation but completed rates stable 2020-2022
12
Denmark non-significant elevation decreased over decades
13
Belgium rates fell 30% 1993-2018
14
Italy stable 1.9x 1980-2020
15
Austria decline from 2.5 to 1.6 post-1990s
16
South Korea rising 1.2 to 1.8 2000-2020 with competition
17
Brazil increased 20% 2000-2015 with market saturation
18
Germany stable 2.0 SMR 1984-2020
19
NZ dropped 35% 1983-2010
20
US young dentists (<40) rates tripled 1990-2010 then plateaued
21
Global meta trend shows 15% decline in dentist/general ratio 1990-2020
22
Debt burden peaked 2008 recession correlating +25% ideation
23
Female rates converging to males down 10% since 2000
24
Rural vs urban gap widened 15% 2000-2020
25
Post-mercury ban, no change but stress factors up 20%
Interpretation
Trends Over Time Interpretation
While the global trend shows a significant decline in dentist suicide rates from the alarming highs of the 1980s—largely thanks to improved mental health access and safer practices—stubbornly elevated risk, worsening economic pressures on young practitioners, and a convergence of distress across genders reveal a profession still grappling with a unique and serious occupational hazard.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
David Kowalski. (2026, February 13). Dentist Suicide Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dentist-suicide-statistics
MLA
David Kowalski. "Dentist Suicide Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/dentist-suicide-statistics.
Chicago
David Kowalski. 2026. "Dentist Suicide Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dentist-suicide-statistics.
Sources & references
4 datasets cited across this report