Prevalence of Dental Anxiety among Patients Visiting a Dental Institution in Telangana, South India

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and fear are common problems frequently experienced by patients during undergoing dental procedures across the globe.

AIM: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental anxiety among the patients attending the Out Patient Department (OPD) of a Dental Institution in Telangana, South India

MATERIALS & METHOD:  A sample of 300 adults (Females =149, Males = 151) with age ranging from 15 years to 60 years were enrolled in the study. Data was collected by using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Chi Square test and ANOVA was used to find significant comparisons between the different variables assessed in the study (age, gender, educational qualification, income, previous dental visits, previous dental experience and postponement of visit). Futher, Spearman’s Correlation was used to analyse these variables with the mean anxiety scores of the patients. 

RESULTS: The prevalence of anxiety among patients in was found to be 3.6%. Reportedly the level of anxiety was found more in females than in males. It was revealed that while age depicted an inverse relationship, postponement of the dental treatment had a direct effect on dental anxiety.

CONCLUSION:  Various dental procedures such as drilling the tooth for restorative procedures, injection techniques for various anaesthetic procedures are the most common reasons which cause dental anxiety to patients. Younger adolescents and patients who belong to lower socioeconomic groups were more anxious. Efforts need to be directed towards alleviation of this anxiety to provide quality dental care to one and all.