Abstract
The study assessed stress and brux activity among dental students during exam (stress) and non-examination (non-stress) periods. The study was initiated as a single group design with the total number of participants 36 (25 females and 11 males). All the participants were examined twice (once in a stress period and once in a non-stress period) according to “Clinical Functional Analysis”, which includes questions about students’ medical and dental history, as well as muscle palpation results. Two «BruxCheckers» (BCs) were applied, one for the upper jaw, the other for the lower jaw, two times for examination and non-examination periods. After the use, the «BCs» were photographed according to the research protocol and the abraded facets area on «BCs» was calculated in square millimeters. The research showed that during a stress period students may have headaches, cramps and pain in shoulder and neck muscles. The research also revealed that during the stress situation the abraded area shifts from frontal teeth to chewing teeth and brux episodes can occur more frequently and with a higher load. Chewing teeth (premolars in our study) are more adapted and more useful for such a condition. Accordingly, our students shifted their brux behavior from teeth 33 and 31 to teeth 15 and 24. Therefore, exams are a strong stress factor for dental students. In turn, prolongated stress can be an indicator of risk factor and have a negative effect for health of the craniomandibular system.
Highlights
The study assessed stress and brux activity among dental students during exam and non-examination periods
The students showed a higher value of OI in the stress period than in the non-stress period, a=0,02
We expected the dental students to show an increase in the OI in Question 9 (OIQ9) in the stress period
Summary
The study was conducted in Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, after the ethic vote was approved. During PreStudy Visit the candidates for the participation in the research project received information about the study design, the purpose of the study and the conditions of participation. During Study Visit 1 the first investigator filled the form about the participant’s (anonymous) identification, age and sex, collected the information according to CFA (these were participants’ medical records, dental records, occlusion index (OI), muscle and jaw joint palpation results). 3 days after Study Visit 2 the participants were invited to Study Visit 3 After their use, the BC were placed into a special box with the participant’s name on it and the participants gave them back to the dental clinic. 3 days after Study Visit 4 the participants were invited to Study Visit 5 to give the BC back to the dental clinic where the investigator made the calculation of abraded facets area on BC The participants were supposed to wear their «BCs» one night for the upper jaw and the night for lower jaw. 3 days after Study Visit 4 the participants were invited to Study Visit 5 to give the BC back to the dental clinic where the investigator made the calculation of abraded facets area on BC
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