Evaluation of the Quality of Life of Dentistry Students with a Survey Study

Objective: Quality of life is a multifaceted concept that influences overall life satisfaction, emotional well-being, and daily functioning. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it encompasses individuals' perceptions of their position in life within the context of their cultural and value systems, as well as their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns. This study aims to assess the quality of life among dental students in Turkey using the WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF instrument. Method: A total of 229 dental students (155 females, 74 males) aged 17-36 participated in this study. The WHOQOL-BREF survey was distributed online via Google Forms to evaluate participants' general health, psychological state, physical health, social relationships, and environment. Results: A total of 229 dental students aged between 17 and 36 participated in this study. The highest number of participants in the study were 1st-grade students with 27.4%, while the group with the least participation was 5th-grade students with 10.2%. All of the participants are studying at a state university, and there is a group of participants who have previously completed an undergraduate program, with a rate of 2.7%. Sixty percent of the participants reported no general health problems. While 40.7% of the participants reported their quality of life as "neither good nor bad", at least 3.1% reported their quality of life as "very good". Conclusion: The results indicate that dental students are moderately satisfied with their quality of life. Enhancing opportunities for social engagement may improve their educational and life motivation.