Assessment of depression, anxiety, and stress levels among undergraduate dental students in Türkiye during endodontics education: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Dental education is highly demanding, and endodontics is considered one of the most stressful disciplines due to its technical complexity. Psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress, may negatively affect students’ performance and well-being. This study aimed to assess these psychological outcomes among dental students in Türkiye during endodontic training. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the validated Turkish version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) among undergraduate dental students. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied to analyze associations with age, sex, year of study, and university type (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 448 students participated. Female students reported significantly higher levels of stress and anxiety (p = 0.001). Older and more advanced students, especially in the fourth year, had significantly increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (p < 0.05). In contrast, second-year students consistently reported lower distress levels. No significant differences were found between public and private universities (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Depression, anxiety, and stress increase as students progress through dental education, with marked gender differences. The findings highlight the heightened vulnerability of students during endodontic training and underscore the need for targeted psychological support during this critical phase.