Dental Environmental Stress among Clinical Dentistry Students in Zahedan School of Dentistry

Introduction: Studying dentistry is associated with high levels of stress. The aim of this study was to compare dental environmental stress among clinical dentistry students of Zahedan in terms of some demographic variables within different years. Methods: In this cross–sectional study, 177 clinical students of Zahedan Dental School were selected through census. A demographic data form, modified dental environmental stress questionnaire (validity and reliability confirmed), along with general health questionnaire were distributed among students in the first semester of 2012-13 academic years. Then based on a four-point Likert scale, averages of scores were calculated. Data was analyzed using ANOVA, Independent Samples Test, and Pearson Correlation. Results: The mean score of stress was 2.38±0.44 of the maximum of 4 and no significant difference was observed in mean score of stress for students in different years of study (P=0.057). Significant statistical differences were found in mean score of stress based on different variables of gender, age, track of university entrance, career choice decision (dentistry), and first choice of admission (P<0.05). Mean score of stress showed a significant correlation with GPA and general health (P<0.05). Being away from family and marital status were not significantly associated with stress score (P>0.05). Conclusion: The findings reveal the need to reduce stress especially among female students, students younger than 25 years, students with a high GPA and continous track of university entrance. Students who chose dentistry due to parental pressure as well as students whose first choice of admission was not dentistry, and students with higher general health require attention in this field.