This study was designed to begin exploring the role of sleep in the relationships between stress and health and stress and examination performance. One hundred and ninety one first year dental students were recruited during the fall semester and completed questionnaires which included the perceived stress scale, perceived health questionnaire, sleep timing questionnaire, sleep log, and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Inventory. During final examination week questionnaires were re-administered in addition to the primary appraisal question regarding final examinations. Four weeks after final examinations the instruments were re-administered and final examination scores collected. It was predicted that sleep impairment would have a mediating effect in the relationship of primary appraisal of final examinations as a predictor with perceived health and final examination performance. It was also predicted that sleep impairment would have a mediating effect on perceived stress as a predictor with perceived health and final examination performance. The outcome revealed total sleep time was not a full or partial mediator in these relationships. Although it is suggestive that sleep is not a mediator it was observed that total sleep time decreased from baseline to exam week and perceived stress increased from baseline to exam week. Suggestions for future research are provided.