The concept of Ikigai — a Japanese philosophy meaning “a reason for being” — can be a powerful framework to explore burnout, especially among dentists, where high stress, emotional fatigue, and professional isolation are common. Let’s connect the dots between Ikigai and dentist burnout, and how understanding this relationship can help create a more fulfilling professional life.
Why did I write about this?
As a dentist, I always suffer and constantly face burnout from every aspect of life, and it was overwhelming that I couldn’t face and give the best at work; this was evident in both my attitude and income. One day, I was depressed, but I heard and read about Ikigai a few years ago and wrote about it part of my life coaching training and relation to motivation. You can read about this here. https://medium.com/
What is Ikigai?
Ikigai lies at the intersection of:
- What you love (Passion)
- What you’re good at (Vocation)
- What the world needs (Mission)
- What you can be paid for (Profession)
When all four overlap, you’re living your ikigai — a life filled with meaning and purpose
Burnout in Dentistry
Dentistry consistently ranks among the top professions at risk of burnout, due to:
- Repetitive work under high precision
- Emotional burden of patient care
- Business pressures (especially in private practice)
- Isolation and lack of peer support
- Unrealistic patient expectations
- Poor work-life balance
How Ikigai Helps Dentists Address Burnout
a. Reconnecting with “What You Love”
Dentists often lose sight of their passion due to the daily grind. Rekindling love for clinical artistry, patient impact, or mentoring can renew emotional energy.
b. Evaluating “What You’re Good At”
Burnout increases when dentists feel stuck doing procedures they don’t enjoy or aren’t skilled at. Realigning practice with strengths reduces frustration and improves confidence.
c. Redefining “What the World Needs”
Burnout often results from a perceived lack of purpose. Dentists who find a mission, such as community education, innovation, or access-to-care work, feel reinvigorated.
d. Balancing “What You Can Be Paid For”
A mismatch between effort and financial reward fuels stress. Rethinking business models, delegating non-clinical tasks, or coaching others can align income with satisfaction.
Practical Steps to Align with Your Ikigai
- Reflect weekly: Journal on which parts of your week gave you energy vs drained it.
- Outsource or delegate: Free time for tasks you love.
- Redesign your practice: Focus on services you’re best at and enjoy most.
- Incorporate life coaching principles: Integrate emotional intelligence, habit tracking, and fulfillment tools with your professional life.
- Mentor or teach: Sharing knowledge reaffirms your mission and builds a legacy.
Your Ikigai as a dentist isn’t just about fixing teeth — it’s about healing lives, including your own. Burnout signals a misalignment. Realigning through Ikigai leads to resilience, joy, and longevity in your career.
Cited & Recommended Sources
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Burn-out an occupational phenomenon: International Classification of Diseases
https://www.who.int/mental_health/evidence/burn-out/en/ - American Dental Association (ADA) Health Policy Institute
Dentist Health and Well-Being Survey
https://www.ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/dentist-well-being - Garcia, Hector, and Francesc Miralles
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life (2017)
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/566961/ikigai-by-hector-garcia-and-francesc-miralles/ - Maslach, Christina, and Michael P. Leiter
The Truth About Burnout: How Organizations Cause Personal Stress and What to Do About It (1997)
https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Burnout-Organizations-Personal/dp/0787908746 - National Library of Medicine – PubMed
Burnout in dentistry: A systematic review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28738858/ - Ikigai Tribe – A site dedicated to the Ikigai concept by Nicolas Kemp
https://ikigaitribe.com/
