(PR006) Apple Watch Evaluation of Endodontics Occupational Stress

Introduction: Occupational stress in dentistry, particularly during endodontic procedures, impacts practitioners' health and performance. This study introduces a novel approach using real-time Heart Rate (HR) data from Apple Watch technology to measure stress levels among endodontists. Materials and

Methods: 12 board-certified endodontists participated in this study, treating 119 patients. In a controlled clinical environment, HR was continuously monitored with the Apple Watch, and data were recorded via the Cardiogram app, capturing HR variations across treatment stages.

Results: Significant HR fluctuations were observed during stress-inducing procedures such as local anesthesia and rubber dam placement. The endodontist's stress level was significantly affected by the treatment difficulty level, stage and the patient's age.

Conclusion: Using Apple Watch technology, our study revealed significant HR variations during different endodontic treatment stages, indicating fluctuating stress levels. Elevated HR was noted during patient examination and rubber dam placement, particularly in complex cases. Our findings underscore the impact of endodontic treatment on the endodontist stress levels.