Journal section: Oral Medicine and Pathology Publication Types: Research Burnout, depression and suicidal ideation in dental students

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence, gender influence, and relationships between burnout, depression and suicidal ideation within the last year among second, fourth and fifth-year dental students. Study Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 212 dental students enrolled in the second, fourth and fifth years at the School of Dentistry of Seville using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey and the MBI-Human Services Survey, the “Patient Health Questionnaire-2”, and the “Questions about Suicidal Ideation and Attempted Suicide”. Results: The response rate among dental students was 80%. Burnout prevalence in dental students was higher in second and fourth years than in fifth year (p = 0.059 and p = 0.003, respectively). Depression prevalence in the fourth year approached significance (p = 0.051). Prevalence of suicidal ideation within the past year was higher, yet not reaching significance, in fourth year. No gender-related differences were found. A significant association was observed between burnout and depression, and between depression and suicidal ideation (p < 0.001), but no association was found between burnout and suicidal ideation. Conclusions: This study has brought our attention to the high prevalence of burnout and depression, and reporte