Stress levels and related variables among dental students in Jerusalem, Israel

The aim of the study was to assess levels of stress and associated socio-demographic variables among dental students in their clinical years in the School of Dental Medicine at the Hebrew University and Hadassah in Jerusalem, and compare the findings with those of a similar study undertaken 10 years previously. The study was carried out among the 4th, 5th and 6th year students because these years involve maximum clinical activity. 112 students out of a population of 120 participated. Students were asked to complete a 17-item anonymous questionnaire composed of items describing potential stressors in the learning environment. The quantitative requirement system per completion of dental procedures received the highest stress scores among all students (3.15 +/- 0.82), followed by 'fear from staying behind peers without being able to catch up'. The lowest scores were given to 'learning new vocabulary as well as new concepts'. These findings were similar to those obtained 10 years ago, despite curriculum and social changes in the interim. Based on the median split of the population, it was found that among the high-stress group, significantly more students evaluated their achievements in school as below average, than did the low-stress group (gamma 2, P = 0.017). The % of students who were parents was significantly higher among the high-stress group, than the others (P = 0.021). Female students reported higher stress in the items comprising 'Clinical work'. The results were similar to those of the previous study, despite curricular changes introduced in the interim.