War stress takes a toll on dental students’ mental health

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 12 January 2026

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AL-NABEK, Syria: Years of conflict have left deep psychological scars on Syria’s future healthcare workforce. New research among health sciences students shows high levels of insomnia, anxiety and depression linked to prolonged instability and economic strain. Dental students, while not the most affected group overall, face substantial pressures, and this has important implications for oral healthcare training and patient safety.

As recently reported on by Dental Tribune International, the Middle East and North Africa exhibits a persistently high dental caries burden, which is at least partially attributable to ongoing conflicts. Furthermore, the negative relationship between oral health and the trauma of conflict has recently received scrutiny in the context of the war in Ukraine.

The current study assessed mental health outcomes among over 500 medical, dental and pharmacy students studying in a conflict-affected environment. Nearly half of the participants reported insomnia, alongside substantial rates of moderate to severe anxiety and depression. These findings underline how prolonged exposure to insecurity, financial hardship and academic pressure continues to shape student well-being long after the immediate violence of war.

For dental students, the results are especially concerning when viewed through a clinical lens. Dentistry demands sustained concentration, fine motor control and close patient interaction, all of which are highly sensitive to fatigue and stress. Even mild insomnia can impair hand–eye coordination, decision-making and procedural accuracy, increasing the risk of clinical errors and undermining confidence during training.

Pharmacy students reported the highest overall distress, and dental students showed the lowest—but still notable—levels of depression, anxiety and stress. This relative difference may mask the cumulative impact of hands-on clinical requirements, patient-related anxiety and performance pressure that characterise dental education. In resource-limited and conflict-affected settings, these demands are often compounded by equipment shortages, interrupted teaching schedules and uncertainty about future employment.

The findings also highlight important risk factors relevant to dental school. Female students reported higher anxiety levels, and low income was linked to worse insomnia and depression symptoms. Early academic years showed greater sleep disturbance, suggesting that students may be particularly vulnerable during the transition to university life and preclinical training.

From a dental education perspective, these findings reinforce the need for proactive mental health support embedded within curricula. Sleep hygiene education, stress management training and accessible psychological support are not optional extras but essential components of patient safety and professional development. Supporting dental students’ mental well-being is ultimately an investment in the quality, safety and sustainability of future oral healthcare services, especially in regions recovering from conflict.

The article, titled “The invisible wounds of war: A study of insomnia and psychological distress among healthcare students in conflict-affected Syria”, was published online on 18 December 2025 in BMC Psychology, ahead of inclusion in an issue.