Presenters: Kourtney Kezos
Authors: Jenna Christensen, Kourtney Kezos
Faculty Advisor: Brenda Armstrong
Institution: Dixie State University
Dental hygiene students experience a significant amount of stress over the course of their schooling, which can negatively impact both their academic performance, and their mental and emotional health. This could result in a decrease in the quality of their life. The objective of this study was to identify factors contributing to stress among dental hygiene students, and the efficacy of several stress management interventions. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar with the search terms "stress" and "dental hygiene." Only peer-reviewed articles written during the past eight years were included. Six resources provided the data for this study, all of which were qualitative. Each used a survey as its method of data collection. The research from these studies showed that a lack of vitamin D, the COVID19 pandemic, emotional intelligence, and sharps injuries all influence stress levels. Stress management interventions reviewed include yoga, and self care practices. Results found that the COVID19 pandemic increased stress levels, a vitamin D deficiency had a relationship with anxiety levels (which increases stress), higher emotional intelligence is related to experiencing less stress, and sharps injuries did not prove to increase stress. Additionally, results concluded that both yoga and self care practices are effective interventions in stress management, and would promote greater academic success among dental hygiene students. More research is still needed on this topic, and avenues of support and aid are needed on behalf of the students. This research is important to the dental hygiene community because students in these programs are dealing with a significant amount of stress, which can greatly affect them. Students do not need to feel like they are continuously experiencing stress; instead they can take interventions and minimize stress levels.