Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39674789›Full record

SynthesisInternational dental journal2025

Prevalence and Incidence of Stress Among UK Dental Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Sultan Alotaibi, Eleni Deligianni, Philip Riley, Anne-Marie Glenny

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International dental journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. The Impact of Restructuring Dentistry Studies on Student Stress and Satisfaction Regarding the Curriculum and Educational Methods.European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Sultan AlotaibiDivision of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: sultan.alotaibi-2@student.manchester.ac.uk.
Eleni DeligianniDivision of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Philip RileyDivision of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
Anne-Marie GlennyDivision of Dentistry, School of Medical Sciences, FBMH, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveDental professionals experience stress daily due to the nature of the excessively demanding working environment in addition to the trust laid upon them by the public. This review aims to evaluate the available evidence on the prevalence and incidence of stress in UK dental students. The paper critically assesses current evidence, shedding light on mental health issues faced by dental healthcare workers.

methodsThe paper followed PRISMA guidelines and was preregistered on PROSPERO, CRD42024482310. Several databases were searched including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus. Studies included involved cohort and cross-sectional studies. The primary outcomes were the prevalence and incidence of stress in UK dental students. Additionally, sources of stress and coping strategies were considered as secondary outcomes.

resultsNine studies out of 2986 screened were included with a sample size of 1447. The pooled prevalence of stress was in 596/1198 (pooled prevalence = 0.498 95% confidence intervals = 0.466-0.530). The incidence rate is estimated to be 5% per year. Sources of stress were found to be examinations, grades, and fear of failing. Coping techniques were hobbies, and emotional support, in addition to maladaptive behaviours.

conclusionThe outcomes of the papers suggest that dental professionals experience extreme levels of stress. While acknowledging the results, this review also underscores the need for further comprehensive research to fully evaluate the burden of stress on dentists. It also shows the importance of incorporating stress management in dental education.

Indexed as

Occupational StressStress, PsychologicalStudents, DentalAdaptation, PsychologicalHumansIncidencePrevalenceUnited KingdomDental studentsMeta-analysisStressSystematic reviewUnited Kingdom

Identifiers

PMID39674789
PMCPMC12142792

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.