Examination of Factors Affecting Mental Distress Among Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) are quite common among dental students. It should be the duty of the educational institution to deal with these mental disorders that are observed during a challenging education. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of DAS among dental students and explore possible factors that may cause these disorders. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among dental students at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, which offers dental education in Turkey. The form created with Google Forms was distributed to the students with a URL link to collect socio-demographic information and data related to DAS levels. Results: The majority of dental students exhibited levels of DAS severity ranging from 'severe' to 'extremely severe'. Females exhibited higher levels of anxiety and stress than males, while their resilience was lower. Those with financial support responsibilities towards their families similarly showed significantly higher anxiety and stress levels (p<.05, for both). It was also found that DAS levels increased up to the fourth-grade, peaking at the fourth-grade, and then significantly decreased in the fifth-grade. Dissatisfaction regarding examination and teaching methods was associated with the DAS level of dental students. Conclusion: It is believed that methodological improvements in education will have a positive contribution to the mental health of dental students. Dealing with related mental disorders is also of critical importance for enhancing the quality of treatments provided to patients and consequently, making progress in the healthcare system.