Prevalence of Dental Fear and Anxiety among Orthodontic patients visiting Nobel Medical College

Anand Acharya,Nidhi Giri,Bhushan Bhattarai,Jitendra Singh,Tarakant Bhagat

doi:10.3126/ojn.v11i1.39040

Anand Acharya, Nidhi Giri + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3126/ojn.v11i1.39040

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Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety is the state of feeling nervous or worried that something bad is going to happen. Dental anxiety is defined as a patient’s response to stress that is associated with a dental procedure. The aim of our study is to investigate the anxiety status of dental patients visiting Orthodontic department at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar. Materials and Method: Total 80 ongoing orthodontic patients (M =21 F=59) who completed modified Dental Anxiety Scale questionnaire were included in the study. Result: Majority of patients (65%) had moderate anxiety where as 25% had mild anxiety and around 9% had severe to extreme anxiety. Patients’ age and education level had significant association with the level of dental anxiety. Conclusion: Dental anxiety in orthodontic patients is unavoidable but needs appropriate counseling. Orthodontist’s role is crucial in bridging the gap between patients’ perception towards orthodontic treatment and the actual treatment.

Highlights

Anxiety is the state of feeling nervous or worried that something bad is going to happen
Dental anxiety (DA) is defined as a patient’s response to stress that is associated with a dental procedure.[1]
Dental fear and anxiety are often related to certain triggers like needles, drills or the dental setting generally

Summary

Introduction

Anxiety is the state of feeling nervous or worried that something bad is going to happen. Dental anxiety is defined as a patient’s response to stress that is associated with a dental procedure. Dental anxiety (DA) is defined as a patient’s response to stress that is associated with a dental procedure.[1] Being scared to go to the dentist may end up in delaying or avoiding dental treatment. Some of the patients visiting orthodontic department do not readily accept the comprehensive treatment because of dental fear and anxiety. Patient dental anxiety and state anxiety levels has been found to decrease after patients become familiar with their orthodontist and become accustomed to orthodontic treatment.[8]

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