Educational Strategies for Workplace Dietary Interventions to Support Dentists’ Health and Performance Post-COVID: A Systematic Review

Background: Dentistry is recognized as one of the most stressful healthcare professions, with both physical and psychological demands intensifying after the COVID-19 pandemic period. Irregular work schedules, poor dietary habits, and elevated burnout levels necessitate targeted interventions to support dentists’ well-being and performance. This review explores the effectiveness of educational dietary strategies implemented in workplace settings to reduce health risks and improve professional outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, covering studies published between 2019 and March 2025. Twenty studies met predefined inclusion criteria, focusing on dietary interventions targeting dentists or healthcare professionals, with relevance to occupational stress, burnout, dietary behavior, or performance. Results: Dentists frequently exhibited poor nutritional behaviors, such as meal skipping, irregular eating, and micronutrient deficiencies. Educational dietary strategies, such as structured meal planning, personalized nutrition education, and provision of antioxidant-rich foods, were linked to improvements in energy, mood, and cognitive focus. Interventions integrating physical activity and stress management yielded additional benefits, including reduced burnout and enhanced psychological resilience. Long-term programs incorporating food literacy and organizational support demonstrated sustained improvements in health and work performance. Conclusions: Educational dietary interventions in dental workplace settings are a promising approach to reduce burnout, enhance resilience, and sustain professional functioning. However, broader implementation requires institutional commitment and integration into occupational health policies.