Evaluation of psychological stress in orthodontic PG students in India

Introduction: Psychological stress is associated with many professions including dental surgery and is commonly encountered among BDS students, which later increases during post graduation (MDS). In this study we intended to identify the perceived sources and the extent of the psychological stress in the Orthodontic post-graduate students, and also evaluate the influence of different variables on overall stress and the effect of various stress relievers among the PG students. Material and Method: A questionnaire type of survey was conducted among 80 Orthodontic post graduate students (39 male and 41 female). A total of 22 factors were shortlisted for the questionnaire and were grouped under three broad categories as Personal, Curriculum Factors and Clinical Factors which were scored on a four point scale as 0- Not applicable, 1- Mild stress, 2–Moderate stress, 3–Severe stress. Result: The result showed that the majority of the PGs were definitely stressed, with females being more stressed than males, though the difference between two genders was statistically non-significant for most of the perceived sources of stress except for home sickness . In overall stress scores for different variables, the difference was statistically non-significant in all of them. Among the stress busters use of social media, alcohol and smoking were significantly associated with some of the student characteristics. Conclusion: The stress levels in PG curriculum definitely exist and the students should adopt proper stress busters to relieve the stress so as to work efficiently during their course.