Imposter Syndrome in Dentistry: Prevalence, Contributing Factors, and Educational Implications: A Narrative Review

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon characterized by persistent self-doubt and fear of being exposed as incompetent despite objective evidence of ability and achievement. Although it has been widely studied across health professions education, its presence and implications within dental education have received comparatively less focused attention. The demanding nature of dental training, marked by early clinical exposure, technical precision, and continuous evaluation, may place dental learners at increased risk of developing imposter feelings. This narrative review synthesizes existing literature published between 2000 and 2025 examining imposter syndrome in dentistry and related health professions education, with a focus on prevalence, psychological determinants, educational and environmental contributors, and associated consequences. The reviewed literature indicates that imposter syndrome is common among dental students and healthcare trainees and is strongly associated with perfectionism, fear of failure, low self-esteem, and heightened academic and clinical stress. Educational factors such as competitive learning environments, inconsistent feedback, and high-stakes clinical assessments further exacerbate imposter experiences. These factors have been linked to reduced self-confidence, avoidance of complex clinical tasks, psychological distress, and challenges in professional identity formation. Imposter syndrome represents a significant but often underrecognized challenge in dental education, with implications extending beyond emotional discomfort to influence learning behaviors, clinical engagement, and overall well-being. Addressing this phenomenon requires increased institutional awareness, supportive educational environments, and structured mentorship strategies, while future research should prioritize longitudinal outcomes and the development of targeted interventions to support dental learners throughout their training.