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Psychiatric symptoms in dental students
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston 77030.
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Dental students exhibit significantly higher levels of psychiatric symptoms compared to the general population. This study highlights potential mental health risks during dental education, particularly in obsessive-compulsive traits and interpersonal sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Dental Education
Background:
- Dentistry is a recognized high-stress occupation.
- Mental health risks for practicing dentists are documented.
- The mental health of dental students remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate psychiatric symptomatology in dental students.
- To compare dental students' mental health to general and patient populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Hopkins Symptom Checklist.
- Sampled dental students for mental health assessment.
Main Results:
- Dental students reported higher symptom levels than the general population.
- Elevations observed in somatic, anxiety, depressive, obsessive-compulsive, and interpersonal sensitivity symptoms.
- Symptomatology levels approached those of psychiatrically ill medical patients.
Conclusions:
- Dental students experience significant psychiatric symptomatology.
- Elevated obsessive-compulsive and interpersonal sensitivity may stem from performance demands.
- Findings suggest a need for mental health support in dental education programs.