Self‐reported stress, coping ability, mental status, and periodontal diseases among police recruits

Abstract

Objective This cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate self‐reported stress level and coping ability as well as mental status (anxiety and depression) via the 12‐item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12) questionnaire and periodontal status among police academy recruits during their 8 months of training. Methods Eighty‐five consenting police recruits were examined at baseline during the first month of training and again during the last month of training. Full mouth plaque score (FMPS), full mouth bleeding score, basic periodontal examination, self‐reported stress level (scale of 1–10) and GHQ‐12 questionnaire (mental status) were recorded at both visits. Ability to cope (yes/no) with stress was recorded at the final visit. Periodontal diagnosis was derived based on clinical examination. t test and regression analyses (p < .05) were performed. Results High stress (odds ratio: 1.25) and inability to cope with stress (odds ratio: 1.31) were statistically significant (p < .05) predictors of high FMPS. Inability to cope with stress (odds ratio: 1.45) was also a statistically significant (p < .05) predictor for periodontitis compared to gingivitis. Mental status (anxiety and depression) may play a greater role in gingivitis (mean 1.75) as opposed to periodontitis (mean 1.00) as reflected by the higher mean GHQ‐12 (t test, p = .04). Conclusions In this study, both self‐reporting of stress level and ability to cope with stress were statistically significant predictors of higher plaque score (FMPS). Ability to cope with stress was also a statistically significant predictor of periodontitis compared to gingivitis. Recording of both self‐reported stress level and ability to cope may be valuable variables to note in the management of plaque and periodontal diseases.

A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Association between Dental Health Conditions and University Personality Inventory Scores among University Students: A Single-Center Study in Japan

“…In this study, periodontal disease was also a significant risk factor for obtaining a UPI score above 30, although this was found only in male participants. Correlations between mental disorders and periodontal disease have also been reported in previous studies [25,26]. It has been shown that an inadequate oral hygiene routine and lack of access to dental services due to poor mental health leads to poor oral hygiene [26].…”

Aggravating Effects of Psychological Stress on Ligature-Induced Periodontitis via the Involvement of Local Oxidative Damage and NF-κB Activation

“…Psychologic condition, especially psychological stress, plays an important role in daily life and can be caused by a variety of stressors that potentially threaten an individual's homeostasis, well-being, overall health, or survival [ 5 ]. The association between psychological stress and periodontitis has been largely demonstrated recently [ 6 , 7 , 8 ] and has been identified as a potential risk factor for periodontal disease in some observational studies [ 9 , 10 ]. Also, researchers established a conditioned fear stress model and physical restraint model in rats to induce psychological stress and confirmed that stress is associated with the progression of alveolar bone loss with altered RANK and RANKL expressions as well as quality of alveolar bone [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Influence of Depression and Anxiety on Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment Outcomes: A 6-Month Prospective Study

“…For instance, psychological diseases will be associated with the adoption of health-damaging behaviors, such as tobacco smoking or increased alcohol consumption, inadequate sleep quality, poor diet choices, insufficient hygiene practice or a poor compliance with appointments/postoperative treatment suggestions [48]. Such an observation was observed for an instance in a population of stressed police recruits, where patients with a high level of stress presented more plaque accumulation [49].…”