The impact of dental anxiety and dental fear on the periodontal status and quality of life among dental patients

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate levels of Dental Fear (DF) and Dental Anxiety (DA) among individuals awaiting appointments at the clinics of two courses in dentistry and determine the impact on oral health status and quality of life. Methods: An observational study was conducted with a sample of adult dental patients. Levels of DF and DA and the perception of quality of life were determined using questionnaires and periodontal data. Results: Among the 287 subjects, 71.4% were female, 7.3% were classified as very anxious and 16% were classified as anxious. Gender was significantly associated with DA (p = 0.001); 20% of the female volunteers and 6.1% of the males were classified as anxious. The frequency of moderate and extreme fear was 42.9% and was not significantly correlated with gender (p = 0.071). The prevalence of a negative impact from oral health status on quality of life (measured using the OHIP-14 scale) was 38.3% and income was significantly associated with this outcome (p = 0.000). Conclusion: Levels of DA and DF were substantial among the individuals analyzed. Women with a lower education were susceptible to anxiety. DA and DF were associated with periodontal status or impact on quality of life.

Moderate and high dental fear by sex and age using the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale

“…7 One of the possible explanations is that girls, in general, are more open and honest about their feelings, including anxiety and fear, compared to boys. 1 However, despite the greater female presence, there was no statistically significant difference in the questionnaire items between sexes, unlike in a study conducted in Bulgaria, 23 in which girls had higher scores in the CFSS -DS questionnaire than boys. In addition, in Indian children, girls had higher scores than boys in the items "Dentists," "Having somebody look at you," "The dentist drilling," and "People in White uniforms," 10 and in Saudi children, girls had higher scores than boys in all items of the questionnaire.…”

“…Despite recent technological and scientific advances regarding dental procedures, fear related to dental treatment still affects a large part of the population and seems to perpetuate over the years. 1 Dental fear is associated with a preconceived notion that dental treatment will be painful, which can impair the child's ability to deal with the office environment and lead dental treatment to failure. 2 The etiology of dental anxiety is complex and multifactorial.…”

Is There Any Association Between Chronic Periodontitis and Anxiety in Adults? A Systematic Review

“…Therefore, 35 studies were selected for full-text reading. The methodological characteristics of the studies were observed as study design, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 24 studies were excluded due to the presence of control group with smokers ( 32 ), absence of periodontal measures ( 33 , 34 ), and lack of a control group ( 35 – 55 ). Therefore, after full-text reading, 11 studies were selected for qualitative analysis ( 10 , 56 – 65 ).…”