Examining the modified scale of dental anxiety in patients referred to the dental faculty of dentistry of Isfahan University and its affiliated clinics in 2022-2023

Document Type : مقاله‌های پژوهشی

Authors

1 Department of Periodontics, Dental Implant Research Center, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Graduate Student, Dental Student’s Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Romina Meshkinnejad, Post Graduate Student, Dental Student’s Research Committee, Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: OOral health is a vital aspect of public health, yet dental anxiety can pose a significant barrier to seeking treatment, negatively impacting community health indicators. Identifying factors influencing dental anxiety is crucial for its management and reduction. This study aimed to assess the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) in patients.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, dental anxiety levels were evaluated in 695 patients visiting Dental School of Isfahan University and affiliated clinics (2022-2023) using the MDAS questionnaire. The scale ranged from 5 to 25, with scores of 11-14 indicating moderate anxiety, 15-19 high anxiety, and ≥19 severe anxiety requiring special attention. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests at a significance level of P < 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of dental anxiety was 49.8%, distributed as follows: 50.2% mild, 21.2% moderate, 27.5% high, and 1.15% severe anxiety. The mean anxiety score was 11.54 ± 4.22. Women exhibited significantly higher anxiety than men (P < 0.05). Additionally, a history of negative dental experiences was significantly associated with higher anxiety levels.
Conclusion: Nearly half of the patients (49.8%) experienced dental anxiety, predominantly at a moderate level. These findings underscore the importance of effective dentist-patient communication and implementing appropriate strategies to reduce stress and anxiety.

Highlights

Shirin Rostami:  Google Scholar, PubMed 

Ali Yaghubi: Google Scholar, PubMed 

Romina Meshkin Nejad: Google Scholar, PubMed 

Keywords

References

  1. Yousefi R, Mohammad Panah A, Binesh N, Saberi A, Tabatabai P. The role of personality traits in predicting dental anxiety [in Persian]. J Dent Med-tums 2020; 33(2): 108-15.
  2. Akhavan H, Mehrvarzfar P, Sheikholeslami M, Dibaj M, Eslami S. Analysis of anxiety scale and related elements in endodontic patients. Iran Endod J 2007; 2(1): 29-31.
  3. Akarslan ZZ, Erten H, Uzun O, Iseri E, Topuz O. Relationship between trait anxiety, dental anxiety and DMFT index of Turkish patients attendings a dental school clinic. East Mediterr Health J 2010; 16(5): 558-62.
  4. Abbasi H, Nazari H, Shadman M.H, Nazari H. The effect of pre-treatment education on reducing the anxiety of oral and dental surgery patients [in Persian]. J Isfahan Dent Sch 2015; 11(5): 441-31.
  5. Einter S, Wichmann M, Paulsen A, Holst S. Dental anxiety--an epidemiological study on its clinical correlation and effects on oral health. J Oral Rehabil 2006; 33(8): 588-93.
  6. Saatchi M, Abtahi M, Mohammadi G, Mirdamadi M, Binandeh ES. The prevalence of dental anxiety and fear in patients referred to Isfahan Dental School, Iran. Dent Res J 2015; 12(3): 248-53.
  7. Corah NL, Gale EN, Pace LF, Seyrek SK. Relation and musical programming as means of reducing psychological stress during dental procedures. J Am Dent Assoc 1981; 103(2): 232-4.
  8. Gale E. Fear of the dental situation. J Dent Res 1972; 51(4): 964-6.
  9. Vadiati Saberi B, Neshandaar Asli H, Sharifiyan H R. Evaluation of dental anxiety level and related factors in patients referred to dental school [in Persian]. J Guilan Univ Med Sci 2018; 27(106): 9-16.
  10. Anbari F, Elmi Z, Anbari F, Rezaeifar k. General anxiety and dental fear: is there a relationship. J Dent Mater Tech 2019; 8(4): 190-6.
  11. White AM, Giblin L, Boyd LD. The prevalence of dental anxiety in dental practice settings. J Dent Hyg 2017; 91(1): 30-4.
  12. Arslan S, Erta E, Ulker M. The relationship between dental fear and sociodemographic variables. Erciyes Med J 2011; 33(4): 295-300.
  13. Riyadh F, Akeel MDS, Abduljabbar A. Dental anxiety among patients attending King Saud University, College of Dentistry. Saudi Dent J 2000; 12(3): 124-8.
  14. Farhadinasab A, Shekofteh Rad A, Mani Kashani K. Assessment of anxiety frequency and its trigger factors in patients referred to general dental offices in the city of Hamedan in 2005 [in Persian]. J Dent Med-tums 2008; 21(1): 36-40.
  15. Ahmadpour Y, Mohebbi SZ, Razeghi S. Evaluation of relation between dental fear and dental anxiety of adults with dental caries status (DMFT) and clinical consequences of untreated dental caries (PUFA). J Dent Med-tums 2020; 33(3): 138-151.
  16. Chaudhary D, Saxena S, Mahanta D, Yadav P, Patel SH, Agarwal S, et al. The prevalence of anxiety and fear in dental patients: A short study. Indian J Dent Sci 2020; 12(2): 92-4.
  17. Chhabra N, Chhabra A, Walia G. Prevalence of dental anxiety and fear among five to ten-year-old children: a behaviour based cross sectional study. Minerva Stomatol 2012; 61(3): 83-9.
  18. Tabrizzadeh M, Agham Alizadeh F. Assessment of the rate of fear in different dental situations in Yazd Dental School [in Persian]. J Dent Shahid Beheshti Med Univ Sci 2003; 21(4): 464-73.
Journal of Isfahan Dental School
Volume 21, Issue 1
Volume 21, Issue 1, April 2025
April 2025
Pages 45-51

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics