Healthcare professionals frequently experience significant work overload, which often leads to substantial physical and psychological stress. This stress is closely linked to increased oxidative stress and a corresponding decline in energy levels. This scoping review investigates the potential impact of dietary antioxidants and food supplements in conjunction with diet in controlling these negative effects. Through an analysis of the biochemical pathways involved in oxidative stress and energy metabolism, the paper emphasizes the effectiveness of targeted dietary interventions. Key dietary antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, polyphenols, and carotenoids, are evaluated for their ability to counteract oxidative stress and enhance energy levels. Additionally, the review assesses various food supplements, including omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10, and ginseng, and their mechanisms of action in energy enhancement. Practical guidelines for incorporating energy-boost dietary strategies into the routine of healthcare professionals are provided, emphasizing the importance of dietary modifications in reducing oxidative stress and improving overall well-being and performance in high-stress healthcare environments. The review concludes by suggesting directions for future research to validate these findings and to explore new dietary interventions that may further support healthcare professionals under work overload.

Background: Dentistry and nursing students experience significant anxiety, negatively impacting their well-being and academic performance. Objectives: This study aims to assess the prevalence and relationships of stress, anxiety, depression, resilience, hope, and spiritual well-being among dentistry and nursing students, identify demographic influences and propose strategies to enhance resilience and well-being. Methods: This study surveyed 271 students attending Greece’s departments of dentistry and nursing at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, using an electronic questionnaire aimed to assess stress, anxiety, and depression (depression, anxiety, stress scale—DASS-21); resilience (resilience assessment questionnaire—RAQ8, brief resilience scale—BRS); hope (adult hope scale—AHS); and spiritual well-being (functional assessment of chronic illness therapy–spiritual well-being scale—FACIT-Sp-12). The survey also collected demographic data to identify factors influencing these variables. Statistical analyses, including hierarchical multiple linear regression and t-tests, were performed to analyze the relationships between variables. Results: The sample included 145 dentistry and 126 nursing students, with 68.6% female and 80.1% undergraduate. Half of the students reported mild or higher levels of stress (48.7%), anxiety (51.3%), and depression (53.5%). The prevalence of depression was the highest in our sample, followed by anxiety and stress. Higher family wealth was associated with reduced stress levels, while female undergraduate students reported higher levels of anxiety than their male counterparts. Hope was a strong predictor of resilience, but stress and worry had a negative correlation. Conclusions: Promoting students’ well-being and academic success requires effective stress-reduction and resilience-building techniques to improve students’ performance and support future healthcare professionals’ personal sustainability and holistic growth.

Introduction: Stress is a common concern among healthcare students, due to the demands of their coursework and the elevated expectations they face. Especially among dentistry and nursing students, the phenomenon, although well-documented, covers psychosocial and physiological dimensions, with somatization symptoms being less explored. These manifestations are crucial to identify discipline-specific stressors and health impacts that can lead to targeted interventions for both disciplines. Aim: This study investigates stress perceptions, somatization, and coping strategies among 271 nursing and dentistry students at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Methodology: An e-questionnaire was open for submissions during February and March 2024. Results: Females reported higher stress somatization (M = 10.22, SD = 5.23) than males (M = 7.94, SD = 6.14; Cohen’s d = 0.412, p < 0.05). The interpretation of stress as “restlessness and psychological pressure” was more prevalent in dentistry students compared to nursing students. Moreover, nursing students who perceived stress as the “inability to manage unexpected or difficult situations, insecurity, panic” were more likely to experience stress somatization symptoms, while for dentistry students, stress somatization was related to “pressure to meet daily obligations/long-term goals”. Physical symptoms for all students included chest discomfort, digestive issues, and headaches/nausea. Also, dentistry students reported more teeth clenching or grinding than nursing students. Short-term coping strategies included emotional balance, managing stressors, situation analysis, and breathing techniques. Long-term strategies involved distraction and entertainment, physical exercise, and patience. A higher willingness to seek coaching support correlated with higher stress somatization among dental students. Nursing students favored psychological support, while dentistry students suggested curriculum revision and improved infrastructure. Discussion/Conclusions: Females exhibited higher stress somatization levels, with themes of insecurity and physical symptoms. Nursing students reported higher somatization linked to insecurity, while dental students associated stress with daily obligations and goals. The study highlights the need for improved support systems, flexible academic procedures, and better communication to address stress in healthcare academia.

Background: Dental professionals face high levels of occupational stress, which intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to increased burnout, diminished well-being, and signs of accelerated biological aging. This systematic review explores the role of physical activity as a protective factor for mental and physical health, with a focus on promoting resilience and long-term occupational sustainability in a post-pandemic volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies published between 2000 and 2024 were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library using MeSH terms related to dentistry, physical activity, stress management, and occupational health. Of 850 records screened, 28 studies were included: 24 cross-sectional, 2 systematic reviews, 1 retrospective, and 1 case–control study. Inclusion and quality appraisal followed standardized criteria. Results: The included studies consistently showed that physical activity was associated with reduced burnout, improved psychological well-being, enhanced postural function, and potential markers of slowed biological aging in dental professionals. Several studies reported moderate-to-strong associations, with effect sizes ranging from small improvements in perceived stress scores to substantial reductions in MSD prevalence. Interventions combining exercise with ergonomic education, stress management, and institutional support demonstrated the stronger and more consistent benefits for professional sustainability. Conclusions: Physical activity, when integrated into comprehensive workplace wellness frameworks, significantly enhances the mental and physical resilience of dental professionals. Embedding movement, ergonomics, and psychosocial support into practice environments offers a promising strategy for safeguarding long-term workforce sustainability and improving public health outcomes.

Background: Dental professionals face high levels of occupational stress, which intensi-fied during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to increased burnout, diminished well-being, and signs of accelerated biological aging. This systematic review explores the role of physical activity as a protective factor for mental and physical health, with a focus on promoting resilience and long-term occupational sustainability in a post-pandemic, volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies published between 2000 and 2024 were identified via PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library using MeSH terms related to dentistry, physical activity, stress management, and occupational health. Inclusion and quality appraisal followed standardized criteria. Results: Out of 850 records screened, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings consistently indicated that physical activity was associated with reductions in burnout, improved psychological well-being, enhanced postural function, and markers of slowed biological aging among dental professionals. Interventions that combined exercise with ergonomic education, stress reduction techniques, and institutional support showed the greatest impact on professional sustainability. Conclusions: Physical activity, when embedded within broader workplace wellness frameworks, contributes meaningfully to the mental and physical resilience of dentists. Integrating movement, ergonomics, and psychosocial support into dental practice environments may serve as an effective strategy for safeguarding long-term workforce sustainability and public health outcomes.

Background: Dentistry is recognized as one of the most stressful healthcare professions, with both physical and psychological demands intensifying after the COVID-19 pandemic period. Irregular work schedules, poor dietary habits, and elevated burnout levels necessitate targeted interventions to support dentists’ well-being and performance. This review explores the effectiveness of educational dietary strategies implemented in workplace settings to reduce health risks and improve professional outcomes. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library, covering studies published between 2019 and March 2025. Twenty studies met predefined inclusion criteria, focusing on dietary interventions targeting dentists or healthcare professionals, with relevance to occupational stress, burnout, dietary behavior, or performance. Results: Dentists frequently exhibited poor nutritional behaviors, such as meal skipping, irregular eating, and micronutrient deficiencies. Educational dietary strategies, such as structured meal planning, personalized nutrition education, and provision of antioxidant-rich foods, were linked to improvements in energy, mood, and cognitive focus. Interventions integrating physical activity and stress management yielded additional benefits, including reduced burnout and enhanced psychological resilience. Long-term programs incorporating food literacy and organizational support demonstrated sustained improvements in health and work performance. Conclusions: Educational dietary interventions in dental workplace settings are a promising approach to reduce burnout, enhance resilience, and sustain professional functioning. However, broader implementation requires institutional commitment and integration into occupational health policies.