Stress among Israeli dental students: a two-year longitudinal study

Forty Hebrew University-Hadassah dental students, graduates of one class, were followed-up over two years of study, during their fourth and fifth years of studies. Students ranked a list of potential stress sources in the dental school environment. Increases in reported stress sources were detected longitudinally for: (1) the requirement system; (2) inconsistent feedback; (3) lack of free time; and (4) treating children. Decreases in reported stressors were found for: (1) manual dexterity; (2) covering the study material; and (3) understanding material. Students reported an increase in stress regarding treating adults from the fourth to the fifth year but then a decrease in stress during the fifth year. Studies have demonstrated dentists as a social group to be especially prone to the effects of stress. This pattern might be initiated in dental school.