Self-reported stress, coping ability, mental status, and periodontal diseases among police recruits

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate self-reported stress level and coping ability as well as mental status (anxiety and depression) via the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) questionnaire and periodontal status among police academy recruits during their 8 months of training.

Eighty-five consenting police recruits were examined at baseline during the first month of training and again during the last month of training. Full mouth plaque score (FMPS), full mouth bleeding score, basic periodontal examination, self-reported stress level (scale of 1-10) and GHQ-12 questionnaire (mental status) were recorded at both visits. Ability to cope (yes/no) with stress was recorded at the final visit. Periodontal diagnosis was derived based on clinical examination. t test and regression analyses (p < .05) were performed.

High stress (odds ratio: 1.25) and inability to cope with stress (odds ratio: 1.31) were statistically significant (p < .05) predictors of high FMPS. Inability to cope with stress (odds ratio: 1.45) was also a statistically significant (p < .05) predictor for periodontitis compared to gingivitis. Mental status (anxiety and depression) may play a greater role in gingivitis (mean 1.75) as opposed to periodontitis (mean 1.00) as reflected by the higher mean GHQ-12 (t test, p = .04).

In this study, both self-reporting of stress level and ability to cope with stress were statistically significant predictors of higher plaque score (FMPS). Ability to cope with stress was also a statistically significant predictor of periodontitis compared to gingivitis. Recording of both self-reported stress level and ability to cope may be valuable variables to note in the management of plaque and periodontal diseases.