Integrating Facial Profiling and Structured Clinical Interviews for Psychological Assessment in Dental Students: a Mixed-methods Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study explores the convergence of facial profiling, structured clinical interviews (SCID), and validated psychometric tools in detecting burnout and depression among dental students. The aim is to establish a comprehensive and scalable model for psychological distress screening. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 dental students. Standardized tools included the PHQ-9 and MBI-SS. Facial images were analyzed using OpenFace 2.0 for activation patterns such as AU4 and AU12. A subset of 20 participants underwent SCID interviews to cross-validate self-report and facial metrics. Facial profiling revealed a significant correlation between AU4 intensity and burnout severity (r = 0.44, p < .01). Depression scores showed a predictive relationship with mid-facial asymmetry and reduced AU12 expression. SCID assessments confirmed distress patterns identified via facial analytics. The combined model predicted 43% of variance in psychological distress scores (adjusted R² = .43). The fusion of facial analytics and SCID provides a robust, bias-mitigated framework for identifying mental health risks in dental education. This study introduces an interdisciplinary model with potential utility in academic and clinical settings. Keywords: facial profiling, SCID, burnout, depression, dental education, affective computing
Institution: Superior University
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220177554