Reducing Patients' State Anxiety in General Dental Practice: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Anxiety assessment by questionnaire provides information for the dentist and may also confer a psychological benefit on patients. This study tested the hypothesis that informing dentists about patients' dental anxiety prior to commencement of treatment reduces patients' state anxiety. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving eight General Dental Practitioners in North Wales. Participants included patients attending their first session of dental treatment, and accumulating a score of 19 or above, or scoring 5 on any one question, of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Patients (n = 119) completed Spielberger's state anxiety inventory (STAI-S) pre- and post-treatment and were randomly allocated to intervention (dentist informed of MDAS score) and control (dentist not informed) groups. Intervention patients showed greater reduction in mean change STAI-S scores (F[1,119] = 8.74, P < 0.0001). Providing the dentist with information of the high level of a patient's dental anxiety prior to treatment, and involving the patient in this, reduced the patient's state anxiety.

Does completing a dental anxiety questionnaire increase anxiety? A randomised controlled trial with adults in general dental practice

“…An interesting extension of this work has been the introduction of a dental anxiety questionnaire into the clinical case management of dental patients. 15 The patient handing to their dentist their completed dental anxiety questionnaire appeared to have a significant benefit on state anxiety levels when leaving the surgery. The study had not however rated the state anxiety prior to entry into the surgery -an omission which this present investigation has addressed.…”

Management of fear and anxiety in the dental clinic: a review

“…49 Further, and even if a decision is made to not formally assess dental anxiety, it is possible that the mere act of asking fearful dental patients to report their level of dental fear prior to treatment may reduce the patients' level of state anxiety. 50 …”

Dental anxiety screening practices and self-reported training needs among Australian dentists

“…Indeed, there is evidence the mere act of asking fearful dental patients to report their level of dental fear prior to treatment may reduce the patients' level of anxiety. 12 However, despite recommendations for the use of validated dental fear questionnaires during clinical assessment, 13 adoption of such tools in general clinical practice is believed to be limited. 14 For example, a study investigating the practices of UK practitioners with a declared special interest in treating patients with dental anxiety found only 20% used adult dental anxiety assessment questionnaires.…”