Perceived Sources of Stress within a Dental Educational Environment

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 64-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wael M. Al-Omari
Keyword(s):  
Dental Hygiene ◽  
Educational Environment ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
Dental Hygiene Students ◽  
Future Career ◽  
Technology Students ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Dental Technology

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify the perceived sources of stress among dental students, dental hygiene students, and dental technology students enrolled at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). The modified dental environment stress questionnaire was administered to 183 students. The perceived stressors varied between major and year. Dental students gave high scores for examinations, reduced holidays, inadequate time for relaxation, fear of failure, completing clinical requirements, and differences in opinion between staff. Dental hygiene students gave the highest scores for uncertainty about the field of study as future career, examinations, inadequate clinical training and supervision, inadequate relaxation, and discrimination between students. Dental technology students also gave high scores for uncertainty about future career, examinations, approachability of the staff, inadequate relaxation, and completing requirements. Females are more stressed than males with regard to personal factors. Dental technology and/or dental hygiene students have significantly higher scores than dental students in 12 items. Students who reported their first choice of study was not their current field of study showed more stress concerning their future careers. The high scores reported for some stressors among students emphasize the need to address student's concerns. Citation Al-Omari WM. Perceived Sources of Stress within a Dental Educational Environment. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 November;(6)4:064-074.

Females in Dentistry: Variations in Psychological Androgyny

1982 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 863-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol L. Hamby ◽  
Stewart Shapiro
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Dental Hygiene ◽  
Sex Role ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Dental Hygienists ◽  
Sex Typing ◽  
Bem Sex Role Inventory ◽  
Psychological Androgyny ◽  
Dental Hygiene Students ◽  
Dental Assistants

This study assessed the variations of psychological androgyny among females in dentistry. By means of the Bem Sex-role Inventory, 27 female dental students, 38 dental hygiene students, and 26 dental assistants were classified as being psychologically androgynous, feminine, masculine, or undifferentiated. 33% of dental students were classified as psychologically androgynous whereas 29% of dental hygienists and 31% of dental assistants were classified as being psychologically sex-typed feminine in their behavior. The implications of sex-typing may have some influence in the career choice of females into the human resources within dentistry.

scholarly journals Brief Yoga Intervention for Dental and Dental Hygiene Students: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 2515690X1985530
Author(s):  
Sarah Ellen Braun ◽  
George Deeb ◽  
Caroline Carrico ◽  
Patricia A. Kinser
Keyword(s):  
Dental Hygiene ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dispositional Mindfulness ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Dental Hygiene Students ◽  
Yoga Intervention ◽  
State Mindfulness

The present study investigated whether a brief yoga intervention would be feasible and acceptable for dental students. Based on empirical evidence about state mindfulness (SM), change in self-reported SM was assessed as a measure of the intervention’s feasibility and acceptability. A repeated-measures within-subjects design was used. Participants were third- and fourth-year dental and dental hygiene students (76% female). The State Mindfulness Scale (SMS), a validated self-report measure of SM with 2 subscales, Mind and Body, was used. Students (n = 132) completed the SMS immediately prior to and following a 1-hour yoga intervention. Dispositional mindfulness, burnout, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms were also investigated as moderators of changes in state mindfulness to determine whether psychological variables had an effect on feasibility in this sample. Total SM significantly increased from pre- to post-intervention, t(46) = 10.26, P < .001. An analysis of covariance showed a significant interaction effect in the relationship between pre-/post-intervention SM of Mind ( β = 0.51, P = .048), such that higher levels of stress saw greater increases in SM of Mind. No other psychological variables were significant moderators. A brief yoga intervention for dental students significantly increased SM, suggesting that yoga interventions may be feasible and acceptable in this population. The results of moderation analyses suggest that a brief yoga intervention may be especially effective at increasing SM for those with high levels of stress. Future research should use a randomized control group to test group differences in SM after a brief yoga intervention for dental students.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Dental and Dental Hygiene Students’ Career Plans

2021 ◽  
pp. 238008442098477
Author(s):  
D.T. García ◽  
A.A. Akinkugbe ◽  
M. Mosavel ◽  
C.S. Smith ◽  
T.H. Brickhouse
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Education ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Dental Hygiene ◽  
Workforce Planning ◽  
Dental Students ◽  
Career Intentions ◽  
Dental Hygiene Students ◽  
Career Plans ◽  
Emergency Situations ◽  
Dental Profession

Objective: The aims of this study were to investigate whether dental and dental hygiene students’ career plans postgraduation were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to examine wellness and readiness for clinical practice among students who reported a change in career plans. Methods: An anonymous online REDCap survey was developed and emailed to 436 dental and dental hygiene students at a US dental school. The survey consisted of 81 questions that covered demographics, career plans postgraduation, and readiness and wellness measures. An open-ended question assessing how students’ career plans have changed during the pandemic was also included. Results: A total of 252 students completed the survey, of whom 11.5% reported that their plans for future dental practice have changed since the COVID-19 outbreak. Students who reported a change to their career plans had significantly higher mean perceived stress (20.1 vs. 16.3; P = 0.003) and anxiety (9.2 vs. 6.2; P = 0.004) scores and lower mean resilience (18.9 vs. 20.9; P = 0.01) scores than those who reported no change to their career plans. Concerns were raised regarding the limited employment opportunities, long-term stability of the dental profession, and the interruptions to clinical education and licensure examinations consequent to the pandemic. Conclusions: A comprehensive effort inclusive of adeptly designed clinical and curriculum experiences paired with wellness interventions and support tailored to students is needed. These measures need to support trainees across varying years in training and resilience levels to be effective for dental and dental hygiene students as they approach their future career intentions in the dental profession. Additional longitudinal research is needed to assess if change in career intentions during the COVID-19 pandemic corresponds with actual change postpandemic and affects the dental profession. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This study explores the potential short-term change in career intentions of dental hygiene and dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings can inform workforce planning as well as interventions developed and implemented by academic dental institutions to support student wellness during unexpected and prolonged emergency situations.

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