The Role of 'Fika Breaks in Dentistry': To Enhance Well-Being and Performance.

American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Issue 15, Vol. 2, 2025 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17266142 Original Article ©2025 RS Publicaon, rspublica[email protected] 486 The Role of ‘Fika Breaks in Dentistry’: To Enhance Well-Being and Performance. Dr.B. LakshmanaRao 1 , Dr.K. Sridevi 2 , Dr.M. Vaishnavi Devi 3 , Dr. G.Sirisha 4 , Dr.K. Yasaswini 5 . 1.Prof & HOD, Dept of Prosthodontics, Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences, Rajahmundry, A.P., 2.Prof & HOD, Dept of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences, Rajahmundry, A.P., 3. Professor, Dept of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences, Rajahmundry, A.P., 4.Reader, Dept of Prosthodontics, Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences, Rajahmundry, A.P., 5. Post Graduate Student, Dept of Prosthodontics, Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences, Rajahmundry, A.P. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT ©2025 RS Publication Paper ID: AJSCS68DF7943B58ED Received: 2025-09-04 Published: 2025-10-04 DOI: https://dx.doi.org /10.5281/zenodo.17 266142 Page No: 486-496 The Swedish tradition of fika, a structured pause for coffee/tea, snacks, and social interaction, holds significant potential for improving the professional environment in dentistry. Dental professionals face high stress, burnout (13–30% prevalence), and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs, affecting 60–80%), driven by precision demands, patient interactions, and repetitive tasks. While no direct studies assess fika in dentistry, evidence from related fields, such as emergency medicine, demonstrates that 15–30-minute fika breaks reduce stress, enhance alertness (e.g., Karolinska Sleepiness Scale scores improved from 5.5 to 4.6), and foster team cohesion. In dentistry, fika is expected to mitigate emotional exhaustion, improve cognitive performance for precise procedures, reduce MSD risk through posture resets, and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration. There is no documented literature is available on the role of Fika Break in dental field, including clinical practice and educational institutions, hence this review paper aimed to discuss the advantages of incorporation of Fika type of breaks in the dental field. KEYWORDS: Fika breaks, Dentistry, Stress reduction, Burnout prevention, Musculoskeletal disorders. Corresponding Author: Dr.B. LakshmanaRao,  Mail: kushul[email protected] American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 CODEN(USA): Ajscs0] Cite This Paper: Dr.B. LakshmanaRao, Dr.K. Sridevi, Dr.M. Vaishnavi Devi, Dr. G.Sirisha and Dr.K. Yasaswini.(2025). " The Role of ‘Fika Breaks in Dentistry’: To Enhance Well-Being and Performance.". AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE CITY AND SOCIETY (AJSCS), vol. 15, no. 5, 2025, pp. 486-496. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17266142 American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Issue 15, Vol. 2, 2025 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17266142 Original Article ©2025 RS Publicaon, rspublica[email protected] 487 INTRODUCTION Fika is a beloved Swedish cultural ritual that is more than just a coffee break. It sounds like "feeka," and it can be a noun (the break itself) or a verb (to "fika" means to take such a break). Fika is a break in the middle of the day to enjoy a hot drink, usually coffee but tea or juice works too, along with a tiny sweet treat like cinnamon buns (kanelbullar), pastries, cookies, or even openfaced sandwiches. [1-4] The real meaning of fika, though, is its social and thoughtful parts. It's a planned ritual to slow down, take a break from work, and talk to other people in a casual way, without any goals or workrelated stress. Fika is a big part of everyday life in Sweden. It usually happens twice a day at work (about 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) and lasts 10 to 30 minutes. It is seen as essential for promoting well-being and community. It's okay to have a solo fika to think things over, but most of the time it's with coworkers, friends, or family to strengthen relationships. [5-8] Advantages of the Fika Break Incorporating fika into routines offers numerous evidence-based benefits, contributing to Sweden's reputation as one of the world's happiest and most productive nations (despite minimal overtime). Key advantages include: [9-16] Fika is an organized break from everyday tasks that helps lower cortisol levels and stop burnout. It also helps with stress and mental health. Studies demonstrate that it helps people relax and feel better when they are under a lot of stress, as at medical conferences. It's a thoughtful retreat that helps you enjoy the moment, which makes you happier with your life as a whole. More productivity and alertness: Fika doesn't waste time; it recharges the brain, making it easier to focus and get things done when you get back to work. The Karolinska Sleepiness Scale showed that people who took fika breaks felt less sleepy (from 5.5 to 4.6 on average), which made the learning or working environment more awake. Swedes' minimal overtime and high output (according to OECD data) are largely due to these kinds of rituals. Fika breaks down hierarchies and encourages casual conversations that establish trust and friendship. This makes people feel more connected to each other and helps them work together better. This makes it easier for people to share information, work together, and have a good working culture, which is very important in Sweden, where decisions are made by agreement. It helps people get to know each other better, which makes them feel less alone and happier at work. Better health and energy: Caffeine, light snacks, and activity (like getting together in a break room) keep energy levels up without making you crash. It encourages drinking enough water and eating a balanced diet, and the social aspect can motivate people to live better lives in general. Fika turns regular breaks into chances to relax and recharge, making it a simple yet powerful way to improve your personal and professional life. American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Issue 15, Vol. 2, 2025 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17266142 Original Article ©2025 RS Publicaon, rspublica[email protected] 488 Is a Fika-Type Break Useful in India? In India, where people work quickly, have a lot of different social groups, and already have tea breaks (chai breaks), the Swedish practice of fika—a planned break for coffee or tea, a snack, and socializing—can be quite helpful. India's informal chai breaks are comparable to fika, but they are not the same. This means that fika can be adapted to different cultures. I look at how useful it might be in India, taking into account how people work together, how society works, and how it could be put into practice. [1-17] The importance of Fika in India 1. Fits with current cultural practices: India already has a significant history of tea breaks, where people get together to drink chai and eat snacks like samosas, cookies, or vada. These moments, which happen a lot in businesses, homes, or roadside booths, are like fika since they focus on taking a break and talking to people. Fika might make these breaks more official and better, turning them into planned times for relaxing and connecting with others instead of random or hasty ones. 2. Dealing with Work Stress and Burnout: Many people in India, especially those who work in cities and in fields like IT, finance, and startups, are under a lot of stress since they work long hours and there is a lot of competition. Research shows that 80% of Indian workers say they are stressed at work, and burnout is common in tech hotspots like Bengaluru. Swedish research have shown that fika can minimize stress levels in high-pressure situations, which can drop cortisol levels and improve mental health. 3. Increasing Productivity in High-Pressure Settings: In India, employees work an average of 48 to 50 hours a week, which is more than Sweden's 40-hour norm. Fika's evidence-based boost to alertness (for example, lowering sleepiness scores from 5.5 to 4.6 on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale) and focus can make work more efficient without adding hours. This is especially important for India's IT sector, where staying focused is very important. 4. Building Relationships at Work: India's diversified workforce, which includes people from different languages, faiths, and geographies, benefits from informal bonding to help people from different cultures get along. Fika's conversational, non-hierarchical style can help teams work together better and trust each other more. This is what happens in Swedish companies, where it helps people share information. In India, this could help break down silos in big companies or startups and encourage people to work together. 5. Cultural Adaptability: Fika is flexible enough to fit in with Indian tastes. For example, chai, filter coffee, or regional munchies like pakoras can take the place of Swedish coffee and pastries. The ceremony can be changed to fit the tastes of the people who do it, so it can be done at offices, schools, or houses in both cities and the countryside. Possible Problems in India American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Issue 15, Vol. 2, 2025 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17266142 Original Article ©2025 RS Publicaon, rspublica[email protected] 489 Time Limits: People in Indian workplaces that are very busy might think that taking 15 to 30 minutes for fika is a waste of time, especially in fields with tight deadlines. In Sweden, fika is a cultural norm, but Indian businesses may not want to make breaks official unless they know how it will help productivity. Infrastructure: Unlike Swedish enterprises that have fika rooms, smaller offices or workplaces in rural areas may not have designated break areas. But India's chai tapri culture proves that informal places can work. How people see culture: In some Indian settings, long social breaks may be seen as a way to relax rather than a way to get things done. This may be fixed by teaching employers about the benefits of fika, using statistics from Sweden to back it up. Benefits That Are Unique to India Help with mental health: Fika's mindful break can be a low-cost, scalable solution to boost wellbeing as mental health issues become more common (for example, 42% of Indian workers say they have symptoms of worry or despair). Community Building: In India's collectivist culture, fika can help people get to know each other better, especially in teams with people from different backgrounds. This can make the workplace more welcoming and cut down on disagreements. Cost-Effectiveness: Fika doesn't cost much to set up—chai, coffee, or snacks are all cheap, and you don't need any special equipment. This makes it possible for small enterprises, schools, or startups to do it. Adapting to Remote Work: As hybrid and remote work become more common in India after COVID, virtual fika sessions (like video calls) can help teams stay connected, as has been tried and tested in worldwide organizations. Putting it into practice in India Companies in India's IT sector, like Infosys and TCS, could try out fika-style breaks by scheduling 15-minute breaks in the middle of the morning and afternoon with chai/coffee and local delicacies. Dedicated break rooms or casual chai tapri meetings might be like Swedish fika places. Schools and Colleges: Schools and colleges might use fika to help students relax. They could encourage students to talk over tea and snacks to establish peer support. Homes and Communities: Families or groups of neighbors could use fika as a way to get back in touch, which is in line with India's history of evening tea parties. A break like a fika is not only useful, but it can also be easily adapted to India's culture and work environment. By making tea breaks a regular part of the workday, they can lower stress, increase productivity, and enhance social ties at work and beyond. There are certain problems, including American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Issue 15, Vol. 2, 2025 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17266142 Original Article ©2025 RS Publicaon, rspublica[email protected] 490 not having enough time or cultural differences, but fika is a good addition to India's daily routine because it is cheap and flexible. This is especially true in cities and at work. Pilot initiatives in schools or offices, along with advertisements that talk about Sweden's success, could help people get on board. [1-17] Fika-Type Breaks in Dentistry [4,9,10,14-16,18-20] The Swedish "fika" break, which lasts 15 to 30 minutes and includes coffee or tea, food, and socializing, is very helpful for dental professionals who are under a lot of stress, have to be very precise, and have to deal with patient-related problems. Here are its pros, reasons for using it, how often it should be used, and how to use it in dentistry. [16] 1. Lessening Stress and Burnout The high-pressure environment of dentistry (for example, anxious patients and precise duties) makes 13% to 30% of dentists stressed and burned out. Fika lowers stress and raises morale, as shown in hospitals and other medical settings. Reduces cortisol, which helps with emotional weariness. 2. Better mental and physical performance Increases alertness and lowers drowsiness scores (5.5 to 4.6 on the Karolinska drowsiness Scale). Reduces mental tiredness and ergonomic strain, which is important because 60–80% of dentists say they have musculoskeletal ailments. 3. Better teamwork Encourages dentists, hygienists, and staff to work together and trust each other, which improves patient care and the flow of work. Gets rid of hierarchies, which makes it easier for dental teams to talk to each other. 4. The ability to bounce back emotionally Offers peer assistance to help deal with stress connected to patients, which builds resilience. Helps people in high-empathy jobs feel better emotionally. 5. Possible Short, cheap breaks (snacks, tea/coffee) work well for busy people and don't need many resources. Can be changed to fit local tastes, such tea and samosas. How often to do it Two breaks every day: [4,16] From 10:00 to 10:30 AM: After the first appointments, it helps you refocus. American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Issue 15, Vol. 2, 2025 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17266142 Original Article ©2025 RS Publicaon, rspublica[email protected] 491 Mid-afternoon (3:00–3:30 PM): Keeps performance up by fighting off energy dips. Breaks should last 15 to 30 minutes, but they might be shorter (10 to 15 minutes) in busier practices. Long Shifts: If you work 10 to 12 hours, think about having a third short break to keep your energy up. Plans for putting things into action Private Dental Clinics: Set up break rooms with tea, coffee, and snacks (such cookies and fruit) for patients to have fika between appointments. Change staff around to cover. Hospital Dental Departments: Use fika to talk about what happened and connect during shift changes or after procedures. Dental Schools: Put this in place for students and faculty to lower stress and encourage mentoring. Cultural Adaptation: Add local snacks and drinks (such chai and filter coffee) to make it more relevant. Availability of Survey Research Studies on the Effective Results of Fika Breaks in Dentistry and Medicine There is still not much study based on surveys that looks at how well fika breaks (organized Swedish-style coffee/tea breaks with socializing and snacks) work, especially in the dental industry. Extensive searches across academic databases revealed no survey studies explicitly evaluating fika in dentistry. In dentistry, whereas broad research on work breaks underscore advantages for stress alleviation and musculoskeletal health, none specifically include fika. In the broader medical domain, a significant survey-based study was identified, concentrating on emergency medicine (EM) residents. This study offers empirical evidence about the efficacy of fika in enhancing alertness and well-being in high-stress educational contexts, which are comparable to clinical medical circumstances. This study's methodology and results are summarized below. No further survey studies on fika in medicine were identified; however, relevant qualitative and observational research on Swedish work culture (e.g., commensality in fika) exists, without survey elements or a healthcare emphasis. [16] Kellar JZ et al. conducted a multicenter, randomized crossover trial to evaluate the effects of 15minute fika breaks on sleepiness levels among EM residents during didactic conferences. They concluded that fika promotes wellness and social connections, recommending its incorporation into medical education to mitigate fatigue. [21] Adoption of Fika Breaks in Dental Institutions or Organizations Outside Sweden [4,14, 19,21,22] After searching through a lot of academic databases, there was no clear proof that dental schools, institutions, or organizations outside of Sweden were explicitly adopting or using fika breaks. Fika is still mostly a Swedish cultural tradition that is very common in Swedish dentistry and medical workplaces. Fika-like breaks are becoming more common in workplaces around the world, American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Issue 15, Vol. 2, 2025 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17266142 Original Article ©2025 RS Publicaon, rspublica[email protected] 492 especially in tech, business, and some healthcare contexts. However, no specific examples of these breaks in dentistry (such as clinics, schools, or professional associations in the USA, UK, Canada, or Australia) were found. Possible Reasons for Limited Use in Dentistry Cultural Specificity: Fika's ceremonial nature is linked to Swedish work-life balance norms, which may not be present in high-pressure, patient-centered dental settings abroad, where breaks are often informal or limited by appointment scheduling. Healthcare Examples That Are Related: The most similar examples are in medicine, such how fika was used during U.S. emergency medicine conferences to keep people awake and interested. This indicates potential for dentistry, considering common stressors such as burnout (13–30% prevalence among dentists); nevertheless, no dental-specific pilots or surveys were identified. Broader Trends: Companies like Google and IKEA (who have offices in other countries) have made fika widespread over the world. However, it seems that it is not widely used in specialist sectors like dentistry, or there are no public records of it being used there. When people talk about "fika" on social media, they often mix it up with words that have nothing to do with it, like "arrive" in Swahili, which doesn't help at all. Opportunities for Future Adoption: Fika has been shown to help people relax and work better together in high-stress jobs, so dental firms should look into it as a low-cost way to help their employees. Pilot initiatives in international dentistry schools, facilitated by organizations such as the American dentistry Association or the British Dental Association, could address this deficiency by leveraging successful medical practices. In conclusion, although fika is an essential aspect of Swedish dental culture, its official implementation in dental environments outside Sweden remains undocumented in existing literature. More study or surveys could find out about informal behaviors. [4,14, 19,21,22] End Results of Fika Breaks in the Dental Field There has been no direct research on the Swedish fika break in the dental field, such as randomized studies or surveys that focus only on dentistry. As a result, the exact outcomes of fika in dental contexts are not clearly recorded in the literature. However, drawing from evidence in related domains (e.g., medicine, general workplace studies) and the recognized difficulties in dentistry (e.g., elevated stress, burnout, musculoskeletal disorders), the prospective outcomes of instituting fika breaks in dental practices can be inferred and corroborated by similar studies. Below, I detail the expected end outcomes of fika breaks in dentistry, based on the research I have and how they fit with the special needs of the profession. Likely End Results in the Dental Field [19-24] 1. Less Stress and Burnout: Fika breaks will probably lower the psychological stress and emotional tiredness of dentists and dental staff, which will lower the number of people who burn American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Issue 15, Vol. 2, 2025 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17266142 Original Article ©2025 RS Publicaon, rspublica[email protected] 493 out. Dentists have a lot of stress in their jobs, and 13–30% of them say they are burned out because of anxious patients, time pressures, and boring activities. A study in emergency medicine found that 15-minute fika breaks made people feel less stressed and boosted their morale. This suggests that dentists who deal with similar stressors could also benefit from these breaks. Effect: Less stress could mean better mental health, fewer missed days of work, and more job satisfaction, which would help the 25% of dentists who say they are emotionally exhausted. 2. Enhanced Cognitive Function and Vigilance Outcome: Fika breaks, which consist of coffee and a short break, are anticipated to improve alertness and focus, which are essential for tasks that need accuracy, such as restorations or surgeries. A survey-based study in emergency care utilizing the Karolinska drowsiness Scale demonstrated that fika decreased drowsiness scores from 5.5 to 4.6 (P=0.004), hence enhancing participation. In dentistry, this can mean fewer mistakes in the clinic and better focus throughout long operations. Impact: Better cognitive function could lead to better patient outcomes and faster procedures, especially in high-pressure situations like endodontics or orthodontics. 3. Better Team Cohesion and Communication Result: The social side of fika encourages casual conversations, which helps dentists, hygienists, and assistants work better together. Fika in Swedish workplaces helps people trust one other and share expertise, which breaks down hierarchies. This could help different fields work together better in dental offices, which is important for complicated patients or crowded clinics. Impact: Better team cohesion may make workflows smoother, cut down on misunderstanding, and make patients happier, since good collaboration is linked to better care delivery. 4. Less strain on the musculoskeletal system: Fika breaks encourage physical activity away from static postures, which lowers the risk of job-related musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs). These problems affect 60–80% of dentists since they operate in chairs for lengthy periods of time. General break Research in dentistry show that taking short breaks can help reset your posture and relieve pressure on your neck, back, and shoulders. Impact: Lowering the number of MSDs could lead to less chronic pain, cheaper healthcare expenses, and longer careers for dental professionals. 5. Improved Emotional Resilience: Fika's social setting without an agenda gives dental professionals a place to get support from their peers, which helps them deal with emotional issues that come up when they work with patients (such how to deal with dental phobia). In healthcare, breaks with social support help people feel less emotionally drained, and this is probably true for dentistry as well. Impact: Greater resilience may lead to greater empathy and better relationships with patients, which will improve the practice's reputation and keep patients coming back. American Journal of Sustainable Cities and Society Issue 15, Vol. 2, 2025 Available online on http://www.rspublication.com/ajscs/ajsas.html ISSN 2319 – 7277 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17266142 Original Article ©2025 RS Publicaon, rspublica[email protected] 494 Research Gaps and Limitations There are no studies that directly evaluate the outcomes of fika in dentistry, probably because it is a cultural practice unique to Sweden and has not been widely adopted in specialized areas worldwide. Current data from medical, such as emergency medicine conferences, and general workplace research provide a robust basis for inferring benefits. However, dental-specific trials or surveys are necessary to quantify outcomes such as decreased burnout rates or the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The great degree of similarity between medical and dental stressors (e.g., precision demands, patient care) substantiates the relevance of fika's benefits. Practical Setting for Final Outcomes Implementation: Two daily fika breaks (15–30 minutes, e.g., mid-morning and mid-afternoon) are in line with Swedish customs and can be done between dental appointments in break rooms that already include tea, coffee, and snacks. Change: Incorporating local drinks (like chai and filter coffee) and food (like biscuits) makes the program more culturally relevant, as is common in other healthcare settings. Expected Long-Term Results: Regular fika breaks could lead to a healthier, more cohesive dental team over time, which could lower staff turnover, make practice more efficient, and increase the quality of patient treatment. There isn’t any direct research on fika in dentistry, but evidence from other fields suggests that fika breaks would have big effects, such less stress and burnout, better cognitive and physical health, better team dynamics, and more emotional resilience. These results address the main problems in dentistry, therefore fika could be a good way to help dental offices until more research is done to see if it works. [19-24] Although no studies explicitly evaluate the outcomes of fika breaks (organized Swedish stops for coffee/tea, snacks, and social interaction) in dentistry, inferred conclusions can be derived from evidence in analogous high-stress domains, such as emergency medicine, and general workplace break research. These correspond with the issues of dentistry, such as burnout (13–30% prevalence), musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs, 60–80% prevalence), and the necessity for cognitive precision and collaboration. CONCLUSION Fika breaks, which are based on Swedish culture and are set times for coffee/tea, food, and socializing, are a potential but not well-studied way to improve the health and performance of dental professionals. There are no direct studies on fika in dentistry, but evidence from similar high-stress professions like emergency medical and general workplace research shows its potential to solve important problems in dentistry. Some of these are high rates of burnout (13–30% among dentists), common musculoskeletal diseases (60–80%), and the necessity for sustained cognitive focus and teamwork. Fika will probably help reduce stress and emotional fatigue, make people more aware for jobs that require precision, relieve physical strain by allowing them to take breaks