Evaluation of Fear, Anxiety and Stress in Undergraduate Dental Students During Pediatric Dentistry Rotation

Purpose: To assess fear, anxiety and stress levels in undergraduate dental students before and after clinical practice in pediatric dentistry, focusing on their emotional responses to treating pediatric patients. Methods: This study involved fourth-year students enrolled in a pediatric dentistry clinical rotation. Participants completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of the rotation to measure anxiety, fear and stress related to pediatric dental care. The Beck Anxiety Inventory, Visual Analog Scale and a structured questionnaire were used. Statistical analysis employed the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Wilcoxon tests, with a 5% significance level. Results: Eighty students (53 women, 27 men; mean age:23.7 years) participated. Anxiety levels decreased significantly from the beginning to the end of the rotation (8.50 to 7.00; P=0.036). Although the reduction in stress levels was not statistically significant (P=0.073), the median values showed a decrease from the start to the end of the rotation (4.50 to 3.00). Conclusions: Clinical practice in pediatric dentistry significantly reduced anxiety among dental students, highlighting its positive impact on emotional well-being. These findings emphasize the importance of supporting students' mental health during clinical training to enhance their professional development.