Annals and Essences of Dentistry
Open Access

Abstract

PERCEIVED SOURCES OF STRESS AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS IN SOUTH INDIA

Sudhakar Kaipa, Shanthi Margabandhu, Nusrath Fareed, Krishna Kumar R.V.S

Introduction:Stress in dental students may be multifactorial, arising from both the academic and socio-cultural environment, and attributable to social support issues. The intensity of the bachelor of dental surgery curriculum requires enormous commitment and hard work by students which may produce stress on them. This study was conducted with an aim to investigate perceived sources of stress among dental students in South India. Methods: A modified version of the Dental Environment Stress questionnaire was used to measure sources of stress. Results: A total of 343 of the 369 registered undergraduate students participated in the study with an overall response rate of 92.9%. Among them, 167 (48.6%) were males and 176 (51.3%) were females. Mean age of the total sample was 20.19 (1.5) years. Examinations were perceived to be the highest sources of stress followed by fear of unemployment after graduation and fear of failing the year. Conclusion: Stress levels were slight to moderate and were higher amongst senior students. Students during clinical training period exhibited higher levels of stress. Overall third years were the most stressed followed by fourth years, second years and first years.

Published Date: 2012-03-30;