STRESS TRIGGERS SYSTEMIC DISEASES AMONG BDS STUDENTS -A QUESTIONNAIRE BASED STUDY

Abstract: - Introduction: Students studying BDS experience higher stress than the general population due to demanding academic, clinical, and interpersonal requirements. Stress arises from time pressure, technical workload, and patient management, adversely affecting physical and psychological wellbeing and academic performance. Prolonged occupational stress may lead to burnout. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between stress triggers and systemic diseases based on the levels of stress, among BDS students by means of questionnaire-based study. objectives included identifying common stressors and symptoms, assessing the occurrence of stress-related systemic diseases, exploring coping mechanisms, and proposing strategies for stress management. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 931 BDS students from first year to internship. Stress levels were assessed using a structured Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaire administered through interviews by the principal investigator. Participation was voluntary with verbal consent, and ethical committee approval was obtained. Students with pre-existing systemic diseases before joining BDS were excluded from the study. Observations and Results: The findings showed that 78.5% of students experienced moderate stress, 19.0% low stress, and 2.5% high stress levels, consistent with previous literature. Academic pressure, including managing clinical work and academic workload, was a major contributing factor. Due to the young age group (approximately 25 years), fewer systemic diseases were observed, representing a limitation of the study. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a clear relationship between stress and personal health among dental students, with the majority experiencing moderate stress. Academic demands and reduced interest in dentistry contribute significantly to stress. Early identification of stressors and implementation of effective coping strategies and institutional support are essential to prevent adverse health outcomes and improve student wellbeing.