title: Wellness Among Dental Students: An Institutional Study.
abstract: The high prevalence of distress among health professionals during their education has fostered increased interest in the study of student well-being. The aim of this study was to assess the self-perceived wellness of dental students and determine the relationship between factors affecting wellness and demographic variables. An online questionnaire was distributed to 334 first-through fourth-year dental students at one U.S. dental school. The questionnaire consisted of modified versions of the Perceived Wellness Survey, Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, and Mental Health Inventory and also collected demographic information. The response rate was 78% (N=261). More than 80% of the respondents reported that they were happy all, most, or a good bit of the time. These students exhibited a strong sense of self-worth, were positive about their friendships, and perceived they had good social support. Less than 20% of respondents did not view their physical health as excellent and identified a lack of self-perceived wellness. First-year and single students reported statistically less social support. Students who were parents perceived their wellness less favorably. Hispanic and Asian students were less happy regarding their mental health than white and African American students. These findings suggest that students, especially Hispanic and Asian students, may benefit from programs that promote student well-being. Academic programs that encourage students to work together and promote peer-to-peer involvement may be beneficial, especially for first-year and single students.
authors: Dr. Harrison is Lecturer in Periodontology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Shaddox is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Garvan is Research Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Florida; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida.
authors: Peter L
authors: PL
authors: Harrison
authors: Dr. Harrison is Lecturer in Periodontology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Shaddox is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Garvan is Research Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Florida; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida.
authors: Luciana M
authors: LM
authors: Shaddox
authors: Dr. Harrison is Lecturer in Periodontology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Shaddox is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Garvan is Research Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Florida; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida.
authors: Cynthia W
authors: CW
authors: Garvan
authors: Dr. Harrison is Lecturer in Periodontology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Shaddox is Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, University of Florida; Dr. Garvan is Research Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Florida; and Dr. Behar-Horenstein is Distinguished Teaching Scholar and Professor, Colleges of Dentistry, Education, Veterinary Medicine, and Pharmacy, as well as being Director, CTSI Educational Development and Evaluation and Co-Director, HRSA Faculty Development in Dentistry, University of Florida. lsbhoren@ufl.edu.
authors: Linda S
authors: LS
authors: Behar-Horenstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012575:Schools, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: dental education; dental students; mental health; social support; stress; wellness