Anxiety immediately before endodontic treatment: cross-sectional quantitative analysis

Abstract

Introduction Endodontic treatments are considered by the patients to be one of the most painful and anxiety-generating procedures and this feeling may be linked to both environmental and individual aspects. This study aimed to evaluate the degree of anxiety of patients immediately before the endodontic treatment. Methods The study design was a cross-sectional quantitative analysis where patient sampling was performed on those who met the inclusion criteria and needed endodontic treatment. The interview instruments for the investigation were a questionnaire with semi-structured questions, the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale, and a digital device for measurement of blood pressure and heart rate. The variables investigated were gender, age, whether the patient liked to visit the dentist, depression, whether the patient used medication for depression, systolic and diastolic pressure, and heart rate. Data statistical were analysed using descriptive statistics and to evaluate the association between variables Pearson’s chi-square tests were used with a significance level of 5%. Results 175 patients were included in the study and categorized as little anxious (33.7%), mildly anxious (45.1%), moderately anxious (15.4%), and extremely anxious (5.7%). There was a strong association between higher degrees of anxiety and whether the patient declared not liking to visit the dentist; no other significant correlation was found. Conclusion Endodontic patients who claim not to like to visit the dentist are more anxious. Healthcare professionals can pursue strategies to treat these patients with anxiety reduction techniques avoiding the postponement or evasion of endodontic treatments.