ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2020;37(7):171-179

Original article

Association between Depression Levels and Self-Perceived

Oral Health among Medical Students

Miloš M. Stepović¹, Zlata Rajković¹, Dailbor Stajić², Marija Sekulić²,

Milena Maričić³, Nela Djonović^2,4

¹University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kragujevac, Serbia

²University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Medical Sciences,

Department of Hygiene and Ecology, Kragujevac, Serbia

³Medical College of Applied Sciences in Zemun, Belgrade, Serbia

⁴Institute for Public Health, Kragujevac, Serbia

SUMMARY

                The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between depression levels, oral health, oral health habits and subjective feelings in the region of the mouth and teeth in senior medical students.

A total of 103 students at the final study year at the Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, participated in the research. Two types of questionnaires were used in this research - Beck Depression Inventory-II and Oral Health Questionnaire for Adults. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, version 21. Chi-square test was performed and the results with p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

                There was no statistically significant difference between the levels of depression among genders.  Twenty-one point four percent of students had depression. The correlation between depression levels and oral health variables showed that frequency of brushing teeth and avoiding smiling were significant between different levels of depression among females. The problems with biting food and problems in social interaction were significant among genders.

                Depressive feelings were noticed among senior medical students and they affected their self-perceived oral health. Oral health promotion programs targeting the young population could help improving oral health behaviour.

Key words: depression, oral health, medical students, mental health, Serbia