Comparison of Dental Anxiety While Visiting Dental Clinics before and after Getting Vaccinated in Midst of COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Vaccination is critical to control the rate of coronavirus transmission and infectivity. Dental practices are a high-risk area for contracting coronavirus; this fact generates psychological disturbances amongst patients. In this study, we aimed to assess the levels of anxiety of patients while visiting dental practices before and after getting vaccinated. This cross-sectional study was carried out between March and December 2021. An electronic survey was distributed among the vaccinated individuals who visited dental clinics before and after getting vaccinated. The survey consisted of the following four parts: demographic characteristics, questions related to coronavirus, and anxiety scores before and after getting vaccinated. SPSS-25 was used to perform the statistical analysis, where paired t-test was used to compare the anxiety scores, and Mann–Whitney U test to assess the association of gender with anxiety scores. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. A total of 400 vaccinated individuals participated in this study, with a response rate of 88.23%. The majority of the respondents (71.0%) did not test positive for coronavirus. More than half of the participants (54.0%) reported to not be suffering from any coronavirus-related symptoms. About 100 (25.0%) of the individuals stated that dental clinics are an environment in which there is a high risk of contracting coronavirus. In regards to the comparison of the mean MDAS scores of the participants before and after getting vaccinated, a significant difference (p = 0.001) was found. Vaccination has been recommended for all eligible individuals to control the transmission and infectivity of coronavirus. Vaccinations have decreased the dental anxiety of patients while visiting dental clinics. However, the protective measures are still valid and should be followed, regardless of the vaccination status.

Upaya Peningkatan Pengetahuan Masyarakat dalam mengenali kelainan gigi dan gusi, Menjaga Kesehatan gigi dan mulut, serta tips ke dokter gigi yang aman di masa Pandemi covid-19

“…Studi yang dilakukan Lal et al, menyatakan vaksinasi dapat menurunkan tingkat kecemasan dan ketakukan masyarakat untuk berobat ke dokter gigi. Namun, tindakan pencegahan lain tetap harus dilaksanakan meskipun dokter gigi ataupun pasien telah menerima vaksinasi (Lal et al, 2022).…”

Psychological benefits of the COVID‐19 vaccination: A Bangladeshi comparative study

“…In a study conducted in Pakistan with a sample of dental patients, 54.0% reported not suffering from COVID‐19‐like symptoms, and 25.0% thought that the environment of a dental clinic was the source of a high risk of infection of the virus. However, after the vaccination of the patients, a decrease in dental anxiety scores was found 13 . In another study conducted in Hong Kong, adult residents reported low levels of mental health problems after the COVID‐19 vaccination 14 .…”

“…However, after the vaccination of the patients, a decrease in dental anxiety scores was found. 13 In another study conducted in Hong Kong, adult residents reported low levels of mental health problems after the COVID‐19 vaccination. 14 About 13% and 17% lower odds of anxiety and depression, respectively, were found in those participants who received the COVID‐19 vaccine than those who did not, as per a study conducted in the United States.…”

Dental Anxiety Associated with Visiting Dental Clinics before and after Getting COVID-19 Vaccine

“…Thus, so as to manage the anxieties related with contracting COVID-19, vaccinations have been advised by several organizations to battle mortalities and morbidities related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this editorial, we focused on the study by Lal et al, titled "Comparison of dental anxiety while visiting dental clinics before and after getting vaccinated in midst of COVID-19 pandemic" [12]. In this study by Lal et al, the authors intended to evaluate the anxiety levels of patients before and after getting vaccinated while visiting dental clinics amidst the COVID-19 pandemic [12].…”

“…In this editorial, we focused on the study by Lal et al, titled "Comparison of dental anxiety while visiting dental clinics before and after getting vaccinated in midst of COVID-19 pandemic" [12]. In this study by Lal et al, the authors intended to evaluate the anxiety levels of patients before and after getting vaccinated while visiting dental clinics amidst the COVID-19 pandemic [12]. We commend the authors for a well-written, clear and concise manuscript that has an excellent study design with good confidence of interval and sample size.…”