The relationship between stress and the incidence of recurrent Aphthous stomatitis in clinical clerkship student

Stress is a common and unavoidable condition experienced in daily life. It is frequently associated with a decline in overall health and the manifestation of various disorders, including those affecting the oral cavity. One of the most prevalent oral conditions observed in individuals experiencing stress is Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS). This study aimed to analyze the relationship between stress and the incidence of RAS. Methods: This study is an analytical study with a cross-sectional design and with a purposive sampling technique. Respondents in this study were those who experienced RAS or had experienced RAS in the last 1 month. The questionnaire to assess stress perception was Perceived stress scale 10 (PSS-10) and the questionnaire to assess RAS perception using RASDX. The results obtained were analyzed with the chi-square test. Results: The results showed that 22.6% of respondents experienced severe stress and 83.5% experienced RAS. Statistical test results with chi-square showed an association between stress and the incidence of RAS (P=0.0001). Conclusion: There is a relationship between stress and the incidence of RAS, it can be concluded that people who experience stress tend to experience RAS.