Is there a relation between dental anxiety, fear and general psychological status?

Tuba Talo Yildirim,Neval Dildes,Hilal Alan,Tahir Karaman,Filiz Acun Kaya,Eyyup Altintas,Alihan Bozoglan,Faruk Oztekin,Osman Atas,Serkan Dundar

doi:10.7717/peerj.2978

Tuba Talo Yildirim, Neval Dildes + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2978

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Journal: PeerJ	Publication Date: Feb 15, 2017
Citations: 36	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Fırat University, Inonu University, Dicle University

Abstract

BackgroundDental anxiety is a widespread problem in many populations. This problem can be a barrier to dental care and may lead to poor oral health. Dental anxiety may be related to psychological status.AimsThe aim of the present study was to assess the levels of dental anxiety, dental fear, Beck Depression, and state-trait anxiety according to age, gender and education level in patients at the periodontology clinic in the Diyarbakır Mouth and Dental Health Center.Study DesignA total of 231 patients (115 males, 116 females) filled out dental fear scale (DFS), dental anxiety scale (DAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), state-trait anxiety inventory-state (STAI-S), and state-trait anxiety inventory–trait (STAI-T) questionnaires, and evaluations of DFS, DAS, BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T were conducted according to age, gender, and education level.ResultsThe mean DFS, DAS, BDI, STAI-T, and STAI –S were 45.64, 9.15, 13.16, 38.90, and 40.18, respectively. There was a significant association among DFS, DAS, BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T (p < 0.05). These surveys scores were significantly higher in females than males (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicated that gender age and education level have important effects on DFS, DAS, BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T (p < 0.05).ConclusionDental anxiety and dental fear were found to be related to psychological status (BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T) over time. There are some patients with unaddressed psychological distress.

Highlights

Anxiety is characterized as an uncertain, unpleasant feeling accompanied by the premonition that something undesirable is about to happen (Marya et al, 2012)
This problem can be a barrier to dental care, and the lack of proper care may lead to poor oral health (Chadwick, 2002; Edmunds & Buchanan, 2012; Newton et al, 2012)
A recent study showed that 73%–79% of individuals have experienced at least some anxiety during dental treatment (Marya et al, 2012) This study aimed to investigate the relation between dental fear, dental anxiety, state-trait anxiety, and depression according to age, gender and education level

Summary

Introduction

Anxiety is characterized as an uncertain, unpleasant feeling accompanied by the premonition that something undesirable is about to happen (Marya et al, 2012). Dentists can become anxious when dealing with these patients because individuals with dental anxiety are more difficult to control, and, dental treatment procedures take a long time (Ilguy et al, 2005). In this respect, there is a compelling convergence of research suggesting that distressing or aversive experiences make people vulnerable and increase the risk of developing a broad range of anxiety disorders, such as general anxiety disorder (Oosterink, De Jongh & Aartman, 2009a). The results of this study indicated that gender age and education level have important effects on DFS, DAS, BDI, STAI-S, and STAI-T (p < 0.05).

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