Relationship Between Sleep Quality and Scholastic Performance in Dental Undergraduate Students-A Scoping Review

The review was intended to evaluate the relationship of the nature of sleep with academic performances among undergraduate dental students.

Scopus, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases were explored using a combination of MeSH terminologies for studies published until May 2023. JBI Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist was considered for data extraction and quality assessment while Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation was considered for the assessment of certainty of evidence.

Seven studies that fulfilled the selection criteria were considered and they comprised an overall of 2738 students. Different questionnaires to assess the quality of sleep were recorded in the studies such as the Dental Environmental Stress questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The academic performance was evaluated through self-reported grade point average. Based on the observations, a significant relationship between sleep quality and scholastic performance was established. Subjects with better sleep quality showed greater academic performance, along with enhanced cognitive abilities. The specific quality of sleep indicators, comprising duration of sleep, disturbances in sleep patterns, stimulant drinks, and efficiency of sleep, were reported to be linked with academic performance outcomes. A majority of the studies revealed a higher risk of bias.

These findings emphasise the importance of the promotion of healthy sleep habits and attendance of sleep-related issues for the optimisation of scholastic achievements and general well-being in this particular population. Future research should concentrate on the development of interventions and strategies for the enhancement of sleep quality.

PROSPERO number: CRD42024507372.