Effect of academic stress on periodontal health in Nigerians

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of academic stress on periodontal health. The experimental group consisted of 22 final year dental students preparing for a major final BDS examination. The control group was made of 29 first year dental clinical students who were not preparing for any examination. Informed consents were obtained from all the students who participated in the study. The study was double blind as the examiners and the students were not aware of the aim of the study at the examination stage. The baseline measurements of Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and Gingival Index (GI) were done 6 weeks prior to the commencement of the final BDS examination for both the experimental and the control groups. Statistical significant differences were observed in the two indices at final reading, between experimental and control groups while the baseline scores for the indices revealed no statistical significant differences. The results indicate that non-demonstrable factors like psychosocial stress represent a risk indicator for periodontal disease and these should be addressed in periodontal patients before and during treatment.