Covid-19 Impacts on Bruxism and Emotional Well-Being of Dentistry Students
Objectives: To investigate and compare emotional well-being and incidence of bruxism among first and last-year University of Tartu dentistry students pre- and post-COVID. Methods: Randomized sample included ten first-year and ten last-year students. Participants were clinically examined for signs of bruxism and completed a questionnaire with seven sections: general information, academic progress, sleep quality, emotional well-being, perceived stress scale, bruxism symptoms and possible impact of COVID-19. The study was carried out in 2020 and in 2024 under analogous conditions, statistical analysis used Pearson correlation. This study was approved by The Ethical Commitee of University of Tartu: 372/T-7. Results: Mental exhaustion was reported by all fifth-year students, excessive anxiety by 40% of students from each year. Nicotine and tobacco products were used by 80% of first-year and 40% of fifth-year students. First-year students prone to bruxism experienced higher emotional difficulties (r=0.774). “Probable bruxism” was present in 60% of fifth-year students, whose alcohol consumption and bruxism symptoms correlated negatively (r=-0.765). Among first-year students there was strong correlation between bruxism and several emotional parameters. In contrast, last-year students showed strong correlation between academic progress and several emotional parameters. First-year students’ emotional well-being correlated with changes in anxiety during lockdown (r=0,453), changes in ability to concentrate during lockdown (r=-0.433) and possibilities to practice a hobby during lockdown (r=0.485). Last-year students exhibited correlation between emotional well-being and living alone (r=0.562) as well as between emotional well-being and changes in anxiety during lockdown (r=-0.780). In comparison with the initial study, general emotional well-being among dental students has deteriorated, yet symptoms of bruxism as well as sleep disorders have become less frequent. Conclusions: Study’s findings suggest that symptoms of bruxism and emotional disorders continue to occur among dentistry students. Deterioration of emotional well-being may cause academic difficulties, amplify use of nicotine and tobacco products and increase the incidence of bruxism. COVID-19 can be considered among causes of upward trend in emotional difficulties.
2024 Continental European and Scandinavian Divisions Meeting (Geneva, Switzerland) Geneva, Switzerland
2024 0109 International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology
Juht, Jutta Loviisa
( University of Tartu
, Tartu
, Estonia
)
Pikkaro, Siim
( University of Tartu
, Tartu
, Estonia
)
Ivask, Oksana
( University of Tartu
, Tartu
, Estonia
)
Voog-oras, Ülle
( University of Tartu
, Tartu
, Estonia
)