Perceived Sources of Stress in Dental Students

From Volume 26, Issue 3, April 1999 | Pages 94-100

Authors

J.R. Heath

BDS, PhD, FDS RCS

Honorary Research Fellow, Unit of Prosthodontics, University Dental Hospital of Manchester

Articles by J.R. Heath

T.V. Macfarlane

BSc

Lecturer in Dental Statistics, Turner Dental School, The University of Manchester

Articles by T.V. Macfarlane

M. S. Umar

BDS

General Dental Practitioner, Manchester

Articles by M. S. Umar

Abstract

A 36-item questionnaire was used to investigate the stress perceived by students at Manchester Dental School to potential stressors, grouped under the headings of living accommodation, personal factors, educational environment, academic work and clinical factors. The stressors producing the highest ratings for perceived stress varied throughout the course but high values were allocated to examinations, fear of failing the course or year, shorter and fewer holidays than other university students and—for clinical students—approachability of staff and completing the required quantity and variety of work within a limited time. Female students experienced greater stress than their male counterparts. Since high levels of perceived stress can reduce student performance, dental schools should consider courses in stress management.

Article

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