Stress experience and effect on self-perceived oral health status among high school students.

OBJECTIVES: Stress is a common phenomenon in our society. Several studies indicate that stress has an adverse effect on oral condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between stress and self-perceived oral health status among high school students population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional design was applied to the study, and a simple random sampling method was used to draw a representative sample of 200 15 to 19-year-old students from Šiauliai Didždvaris gymnasium. This study was based on annonymous self-reported questionaries about self-perceived oral and systemic conditions. The interdependence of characteristics was evaluated by chi-square (χ2 ) and ANOVA criteria.

RESULTS: 171 participants (85.5%) expierenced stress. 22.5% of the interviewees answered that they have symptoms of the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), 22.5% - bruxism signs, 71.5% - dental decay, 59.5% - gum problems. Increased stress level was related with more frequent bruxism signs. The difference between groups was statistically significant (χ2 =13.444; p=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of stress among high school students is high. This study demonstrates that increased stress level might be a risk indicator and have negative outcome to oral health.