Madiba, Thomas KhomotjoBhayat, Ahmed2017-06-262017-06-262017-01Bhayat, A. & Madiba, T.K. 2017, 'The self-perceived sources of stress among dental students at a South African dental school and their methods of coping', South African Dental Journal, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 6-10.1029-4864 (online)http://hdl.handle.net/2263/61085INTRODUCTION : Dental students have reported that, as a result of the nature of the dental curriculum, they are under severe stress while studying. AIM : to determine how students perceived the sources of stress and to identify the coping mechanisms used. METHODS : This was a cross-sectional analytical study using a standardized self-administered questionnaire. All dental students registered in 2015 were invited to participate. All data was secured as confidential and anonymous. RESULTS : Responses were received from 224 students (74%, of whom 26% were male). One third of responding males and 45% of responding females reported severe levels of stress. Clinical students reported a significantly higher (p=0.002) prevalence of severe stress over non-clinical students. The most common causes of severe stress were fear of failure (47%) and high workload (38%). The coping mechanisms included sleeping (64%) and watching television (55%). More than a quarter contemplated changing from Dentistry as a result of their perceived stress. Those who reported having severe stress were 1.8 and 2.1 times more likely to quit Dentistry or to commit suicide. CONCLUSION: Females and clinical students reported higher levels of severe stress. Those with severe stress were significantly more likely to contemplate quitting Dentistry or suicide.enSouth African Dental AssociationDental studentsDental curriculumStressTertiary educationHealth sciences articles SDG-03SDG-03: Good health and well-beingArticle