Self-reported psychological problems amongst undergraduate dental students: A pilot study in seven European countries

Assessment of Dental Student Satisfaction after Internships in Collaborative Dental Practices in Saxony-A Retrospective Questionnaire Analysis

The goal for dental students of a university-based program should be to learn about practice procedures in a dental office as part of their studies in order to gain insight into day-to-day activities, such as organizational management, patient communication, and problem-solving strategies. All dental students from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Dresden in Germany, who completed a one-week internship in an external dental office in the last year before taking the final exam, were invited to participate in the survey (total n = 182 in years 2017-2019 and 2022). After completing the internship, the students were asked to anonymously rate the distinctive competencies they had acquired during their dental studies in terms of clinical and social communication skills. The results of the survey showed a good practicability of the acquired dental knowledge and a general satisfaction of students during their internships. No significant influence of the COVID-19 outbreak and the resulting special regulations in dental practices during the pandemic on student satisfaction was found. Students were more satisfied with their completed internships in smaller cities. Therefore, a stronger inclusion of practices outside the big cities should be considered in the current implementation of the new Dental Licensure Act in Germany.

Emotional Intelligence, Depression, Stress and Anxiety Amongst Undergraduate Dental Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives: This study aimed to measure depression, anxiety and stress (DAS) among undergraduate dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic, identify key contributing factors of stress and explore the association of emotional intelligence to DAS. Methods: A multi-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted across four universities in Malaysia. The study administered a questionnaire consisting of the validated Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), Dental Environment Stress (DES), Emotional Intelligence Scale (EI) and 10 statements assessing COVID-19 specific potential stressor factors. Results: Participants included 791 students across four universities. Abnormal levels of DAS were identified in 60.6%, 66.8% and 42.6% of the study participants, respectively. "Pressure of performance," "Faculty administration" and "Self-efficacy belief" were the highest rated stressors. On-time graduation was the main COVID-19 specific stressor factor. EI was negatively correlated with DAS scores (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The levels of DAS during COVID-19 pandemic in this population is high. However, participants with higher EI presented with lower DAS suggesting that EI may be a form of coping resource and should be enhanced in this population.

Oral health-related quality of life and psychological states of dental students with temporomandibular disorders

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the frequency of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in dental students, and evaluates the association between TMDs, psychological states, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The presence of bruxism was also determined.

METHODS

Two hundred ninety-three dental students completed the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL-90-R) and Oral Health Impact Profile 14 (OHIP-14) questionnaires and underwent a clinical examination according to Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs.

RESULTS

TMDs were detected in 46.4% of the dental students. OHIP-14 scores of students with TMDs were significantly higher than scores for students without TMDs (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in all SCL-90-R scores among students with and without TMDs, except for phobic anxiety and additional SCL-90-R subscale scores (p < 0.05). The prevalence of myalgia was significantly higher in clinical students (26.6%) than in preclinical students (15.6%). OHIP-14 scores of clinical students were significantly higher than preclinical students (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In dental students, there was a high frequency of TMDs and bruxism. OHRQoL was poorer in clinical students. Levels of anxiety, depression, and somatization were not different in clinical and preclinical students. SCL-90-R scores are higher in students with TMDs except for phobic anxiety and additional SCL-90-R subscale scores.

Mental burden and perception of the study situation among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study and comparison of dental and medical students

OBJECTIVES

To investigate levels of distress, depression, anxiety, stress and perception of their current study situation during the COVID-19 pandemic among undergraduate dental and medical students.

DESIGN

Observational, cross-sectional study including two consecutive surveys (May and July 2020).

SETTING

A large medical school in Germany.

PARTICIPANTS

All first year dental and medical students were invited. 132 participating first year students (44 dental, 88 medical) from the first survey and 150 students (50 dental, 100 medical) from the second were included in our analyses.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Mental burden (distress thermometer, Patient Health Questionnaire-4, Perceived Stress Scale-4) and self-reported changes in mental health and perception of study situation during the COVID-19 pandemic (self-developed items) were compared. Open-ended questions were analysed by conventional content analyses.

RESULTS

A considerable proportion of students (t1: May 2020: 84.1%; t2: July 2020: 77.3%) reported distress levels above cut-off. In July 2020, dental students reported significantly higher distress scores than medical students (dental: M=7.0, SD=2.3; medical: M=5.7; SD=2.1; p<0.001). More dental than medical students reported mild, moderate and severe levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. The majority stated that their mental health and study motivation had not changed during the pandemic. Logistic regression showed that being a dental student was significantly associated with a higher likelihood for serious worries regarding the study situation during COVID-19 at t1 (OR 4.0; 95% CI 1.1 to 14.2). At t2 higher distress was significantly associated with a higher likelihood for experiencing serious worries (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.5). Regarding current concerns related to the pandemic, students most frequently reported difficulties with self-regulated learning (15.2%), study-related worries and uncertainty (14.4%), missing feedback of students and lecturers (11.4%) and lack of practical training (9.8%).

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that high mental burden and the lack of practical training among medical and dental students is an increasing problem, with a possibly even higher urgency in dental students. Tailored psychological and educational support offers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic might help them as they progress through (medical and) dental school.

Prevalence of Anxiety in Dental Students during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the psychological state of university students has been a cause for concern. In particular, odontology students have experienced symptoms of anxiety due to the closure of universities and the suspension of clinical training. Methods: Medline via PubMed was searched for studies on the prevalence of anxiety in dental undergraduates, published from 1 December 2019 to 1 August 2021. Results: A total of fifteen studies were included in this review. Our results show a prevalence of anxiety of 35% reported by dental students, which was independent of gender, response rate or methodological quality. The only significant finding was a lower prevalence of anxiety in studies located in Europe compared to those located in other continents. Conclusions: The results suggest dental students are experiencing significant levels of anxiety during this COVID-19 pandemic and that there seem to be differences between students from different regions of the world. Therefore, it is important to help dental students psychologically as the pandemic situation continues.

Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health of dental students: A longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

Many countries have enforced lockdowns on their populations due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to assess the effects of the lockdown on dental students.

METHODS

A longitudinal, repeated cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate psychological problems experienced by dental students during the COVID-19 lockdown in Saudi Arabia. The dental students were selected from different universities using 2-stage cluster sampling. The validated Arabic version of the 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale questionnaire was distributed at the beginning and end of the lockdown. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as appropriate. Chi-square test was used to compare the proportions between the sociodemographic data, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with the students' responses.

RESULTS

A total of 1287 respondents participated in this study (695 first-survey respondents, 592 second-survey respondents). There were longitudinally significant differences in the students' mental health outcomes based on gender, university, class year, and survey time during the COVID-19 lockdown. The lockdown increased the likelihood of female, single, and junior students experiencing stress. The students who lived alone recorded a high chance of elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, which showed a significant longitudinal reduction during the lockdown. Moreover, the lockdown increased the likelihood of mental health problems among the students staying in households of two persons or two-five persons.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates the importance of considering the detrimental mental health consequences on dental students in the event of future pandemics.

Analysis and prevention of ergonomic risk factors among dental students

INTRODUCTION

Dentistry is a high-risk profession for the development of work-related disorders. Dental students are also exposed to several risk factors. The goal of the study was to determine and localise musculoskeletal pain during dental work, afterwards to measure electromyography signals from the muscles groups mostly affected by the musculoskeletal pain. Study was done in order to provide possible suggestions for the most effective preventive measures of MS pain among dental students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to solve the objectives, the research was realised in two segments. In the first part of the study, specially designed questionnaires were used to determine the frequency of musculoskeletal pain, risk factors and preventive measures among students. The second part of the study included electromyography analyses of muscular activity of students during dental work. Inclinometers also were set up in the purpose of monitoring inclination of the spine.

RESULTS

Results of the questionnaire study indicated that pain during work was frequent, 81.8% of all the subjects reported pain during work. The recorded muscle activity of the neck muscles indicated a high ergonomic risk, while the muscle activity of the shoulders and back muscles indicated a medium risk. Work with a back flexion of 20 degrees and more indicates that students are at risk.

CONCLUSION

Dental students used to work in unnatural working position. High ergonomic risk occurred in neck muscles. Students should be aware of the potential risks during work and to learn how to prevent it. Regular physical activity is strongly suggested to the students in order to avoid ergonomic problems.

Impact of COVID-19 Mandatory Social Isolation on the Development of Anxiety in Peruvian Dentistry Students: A Logistic Regression Analysis

Aim:

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated much concern worldwide. Due to its high transmissibility, many young university students have had to carry out their academic activities in mandatory social isolation, which could generate excessive anxiety. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anxiety levels in Peruvian dentistry students developed during COVID-19 mandatory social isolation.

Materials and Methods:

An analytical, observational, and transversal study was carried out in 403 dentistry students in the last two years from three Peruvian universities from May to July 2020. The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale was used to detect anxiety symptoms and their respective diagnoses. A logit model was used to evaluate the association of the variables: age group (X1), gender (X2), type of university (X3), and marital status (X4), with the anxiety levels of the students, considering a p-value less than 0.05.

Results:

The prevalence of anxiety resulted in 56.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 51.9–61.7) of 403 dentistry students. According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the type of university was the only variable that demonstrated to have a significant influence on the development of anxiety with an odds ratio (OR = 1.98; CI: 1.29–3.02); whereas the other variables such as age group (OR = 0.77; CI: 0.49–1.20), gender (OR = 1.15; CI: 0.72–1.84), and marital status (OR = 0.75; CI: 0.35–1.60) were not considered factors that influenced the development of anxiety.

Conclusion:

More than a half of the Peruvian dentistry students from three universities showed mild-to-severe anxiety levels. Students from a private university have a 98% higher chance of developing anxiety in comparison to students from public universities. Other variables such as gender, age group, or marital status were not considered influencing factors to develop anxiety.

COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on dental students: A multi-institutional survey

Purpose/objectives

To investigate dental students’ perceptions and concerns regarding the COVID‐19 pandemic, their coping strategies and support resources, and their perceived stress levels.

Methods

A customized 19‐item survey and the perceived stress scale (PSS) were applied to undergraduate dental students from the US, Spain, Ireland, Chile, India, and Brazil between April 10 and July 5, 2020. Linear modeling and mediation analysis were used to explore the relationships among demographics, stressors, coping mechanisms, social support, and stress

Results

A total of 4475 students responded to the survey. The majority (72.4%) were women, and 52.3% had no COVID‐19 training at the time of the survey. The students reported that they had to accommodate to changes in patient care (96.6%) and didactic learning (95.2%) activities, while 88.5% of the respondents indicated at least one of their courses moved online. Transition to online courses went “smoothly with some troubles” for 51.8% of the respondents, and 48.3% perceived the faculty as prepared for the online transition; however, 45.9% reported feeling extremely concerned about the impact of COVID‐19 on their education. The average PSS score was 21.9 of 40 (moderate stress). Multivariate models were built for participants with full data (n = 3899). Being male, having completed more dental coursework, and perceiving a smoother transition were associated with lower PSS scores; more concern about academic progress was associated with higher PSS. Faculty support mediated the relationship between a smoothness of transition and concern about academic progress and PSS scores

Conclusion

Stress caused by the pandemic may be alleviated by smoother transition and good faculty support.