Dental students in Northern Ireland in 1992 and 1995: changing trends in psychological stress

Psychological stress in undergraduate dental students: baseline results from seven European dental schools

“…Where students reside during term-time may be an important factor for organisers of dental courses to appreciate. Although the wider environmental influence upon dental students appears to be minimal (18), the influence of a home situation appears to afford benefits to the student. The results of the present investigation indicated that students who resided at home during term-time appeared to gain some protection against stress.…”

“…This finding was unexpected since considerable changes in the curriculum had been introduced during the intervening decade (17). Recently Freeman et al (18), compared clinical dental students in 1992 and 1995, and found little difference in levels of stress. This was an unexpected finding, as the former sample of students were exposed to the 'troubles' in Northern Ireland at the time of the original questionnaire completion.…”

Stress amongst dental students: a systematic review

“…Academic factors, listed in Table 7, are mostly related to performance results, workload and fear. The most frequently Year of study (2, 3, 9, 13, 16, 20-22, 24, 31, 34, 35, 37, 46-49) Age (46,52) Gender (2-4, 8, 12, 16, 20-22, 24, 31, 33-38, 46, 49-54) Marital status (34) Country (24,49,52) Nationality (16,20) Race and ethnicity (22,38) Tuition payer (22) First choice for admission (20,21,31,35,36) (4,9,16,35,37) Approachability of staff (12,21) Work environment (12,48) Home and family environment (48) Prolonged frequent strikes by faculty (53) (4, 9, 12, 13, 16, 20-22, 25, 35, 37, 49, 56) Fear of failing (4,8,12,16,(20)(21)(22)49) Fear of being unable to catch up if getting behind (4,16,49) Fear of parents after failure (22,31) Fear of employment after graduation or unemployment (20,22,…”

“…Also, students needed to be encouraged to access student services in a proactive manner and to use social support as a coping strategy. Moreover, providing a conducive learning environment and added support during periods of transition has been recommended (12,25,39,48,53).…”

Alarming aspect of dentistry

“…14,15 Students under chronic stress have psychological problems such as mood changes, frustration, decreased concentration, high levels of burnout. [16][17][18][19][20] Other health problems created by stress are fatigue, sleeplessness, tension, dizziness, tachycardia, irritability, anxiety and gastrointestinal disturbances. 6,21,22 Behavior changes such as smoking and substance abuse, also observed in relation to stress.…”