Self-Evaluation of Anxiety in Dental Students

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze anxiety in female and male dental students related to their first procedure performed on a pediatric patient as part of their study curriculum.

Materials And Methods: The study was carried out in eighty-four 3rd year dental students (75.00% females and 25.00% males), aged 22-28 years. The participation in the research was anonymous and voluntary. The study was performed during clinical classes in pediatric dentistry where the students were supposed to perform simple prophylactic or therapeutic procedures on pediatric patients. To assess anxiety, a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used prepared by Spielberger et al. based on the American STAI questionnaire of 1970 that is composed of two-parts scales: the X-1 scale to assess anxiety as a state and the X-2 scale to assess anxiety as a trait. For statistical analysis, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Pearson's chi-squared test, and Mann-Whitney test as well as Statistica 10 programme were used.

Results: The results obtained from the first and second part of the questionnaire concerning anxiety as a state and as a trait showed high level of anxiety as a state in 51.19% of the students and as a trait in 32.14% and low level in 19.05% and 41.67%, respectively. The obtained results showed minimal and maximal values to be 24 and 71, respectively, for the STAI-1 scale (mean = 40.55), and 24 and 57, respectively, for the STAI-2 scale (mean = 41.75).

Conclusions: The results show that the anxiety level during clinical classes is relatively high in the studied population of students. Preparing the students to cope with stress resulting from treating the patients seems to be of importance. Such programmes should be implemented before the start of practical clinical classes. The acquired knowledge will be useful in further professional career.