>>Back in my early days as an actuary (late 80s), I learned that dentists had the second highest mental instutionalization rate (or attempted suicide rate - I forgot which one exactly) of all professions (air traffic controllers were in first place). Seriously.
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>What do dentists really do? Their assistants do most of the job, how can a dentist get so stressed out?

I've heard that it is a number of factors
- your clients dislike coming to see you
- there is a high degree of noncompliance (not everyone flosses or whatever)
- the cost for dental equipment (xrays, special machines) is high and it is easy to get over your head.