Prevalence of and factors associated with dental anxiety among medical and dental students of the Northern State Medical University, Arkhangelsk, North-West Russia

Prevalence and associated factors of dental anxiety among adults attending public outpatient dental clinic in the Eastern Province, Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND

Dental anxiety has become a major concern for both dental practitioners and patients and prevents a significant proportion of people from attending dental clinics. The present study aimed to determine dental anxiety and associated factors among adult patients attending a public outpatient dental clinic in a base hospital, in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 adults aged 18 to 75 years awaiting dental treatment. A validated and pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire was utilised, and it included demographic information, past dental treatment, and the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) which was used to assess dental anxiety. Anxiety scores ranged from 5 to 25, with scores of 5-9 classified as less anxious, 10-18 as moderately anxious, and scores above 18 as extremely anxious. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 28. Descriptive analysis, correlation test, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were applied for statistical analysis. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The majority of participants in this sample experienced dental anxiety, with 19% classified as extremely anxious, 70% as moderately anxious, and 11% as less anxious. The mean MDAS score was 14.5 (SD = 4.4). Bivariate analysis revealed that dental anxiety is significantly associated with age group, sex, marital status, employment status, monthly family income, past dental visits, sex of treatment provider and previous dental experiences. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that age, sex and postponing dental treatment appointments were significant predictor variables of dental anxiety.

CONCLUSION

The findings reveal that the majority of participants in this study experience moderate to high levels of dental anxiety. Notably, younger individuals (under 35 years), females, and those who tend to postpone dental appointments were identified as significant predictors of heightened dental anxiety.

Dental Anxiety Among Students of the University of Rijeka, Croatia

Objectives

Dental anxiety is a common problem and a great challenge for many patients, but also for dentists - the treatment of anxious patients is considered to be one of the most stressful situations for dentists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental anxiety among the students of the University of Rijeka and to detect possible differences in the level of anxiety among students of different study programs.

Participants and methods

This cross-sectional study included 290 students from different faculties of the University of Rijeka (Faculty of Law, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine), 73 (25.17%) male and 217 (74.83%) female students. The study was conducted online via The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) in 2020 and sampling was based on voluntary responses. The Student's t-test and ANOVA were used to compare differences in MDAS scores among students.

Results

There is a significant difference in dental anxiety levels between students from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Faculty of Dental Medicine (MDAS=11.32±4.11, MDAS=8.84±3.03, p=0.01), and also between students from the Faculty of Law and Faculty of Dental Medicine (MDAS=11.47±4.64, MDAS=8.84±3.03, p <0.01).

Conclusions

This research showed that non-dental students have a higher level of dental anxiety than dental students. Sufficient knowledge of dental and oral health could potentially overcome dental fear and anxiety. Therefore, there is a need to provide additional dental education throughout the university curriculum.

Exploring young adults' fears related to healthcare and dental procedures

Background and Purpose

Fear and anxiety related to dental and healthcare procedures are common among young adults and can negatively impact dental and healthcare consumership, resulting in poor health outcomes.

Purpose

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine young adults' experiences of fear related to dental and healthcare procedures and the potential relationships between the two forms of fear experiences and demographic factors.

Methods

Young adults (252) were recruited from a large public university and completed a survey about their dental and healthcare fear/anxiety as well as their confidence in healthcare professionals. Descriptive and correlational analyses were completed to describe the experiences of young adults and the relationships between variables.

Results

Ten types of fear/anxiety were identified related to healthcare procedures, with the most common being needles and pain. Nine fears/anxieties were identified for dental visits, of which pain and sensory experiences other than pain were most common. Female participants were significantly more likely to report fear/anxiety related to dental procedures, and there was a statistically significant relationship between fear/anxiety related to healthcare procedures and that related to dental procedures. There was also a significant negative relationship found between confidence in healthcare providers and fear/anxiety related to healthcare procedures.

Conclusions

Young adults experience fear/anxiety related to healthcare and dentist visits, and this fear/anxiety can impact their confidence in healthcare providers, such as primary physicians. The findings of the current study suggest primary care providers should be aware of potential fears/anxieties and offer patients appropriate supports.

Is Dental Anxiety Associated with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life? Assessment of Statistical Significance and Clinical Meaningfulness in a Sample of Russian Medical and Dental Students

Information about oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and dental anxiety (DA) in Russian young adults is scarce. We investigated how DA is associated with OHRQoL in a group of medical and dental students in North-West Russia. The study had a cross-sectional design and included 807 students aged 18-25 years who attended the Northern State Medical University in Arkhangelsk. OHRQoL and DA were measured by the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), respectively. A questionnaire collected information on socio-demographics and self-reported oral health (OH) characteristics. A dental examination was executed to assess dental caries and oral hygiene. We observed differences in the OHIP-14 scores between dentally anxious and non-anxious students: unadjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29-2.12; after adjustment for socio-demographics and clinically assessed OH: IRR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.23-2.02; after adjustment for socio-demographics, clinically assessed OH, and self-reported OH characteristics: IRR = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.99-1.63. The differences between estimated marginal means for the DAS categories in the models were 2.92, 2.51, and 1.24, respectively. Minimal clinically important differences of OHIP-14 fell between 1.68 and 2.51. We found a negative statistical association between DA and OHRQoL in our study sample, but after adjustment for potential confounders, the association lost its clinical importance.

Relationship between dental anxiety levels and oral health among dental patients in Turkey: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the relationship between dental anxiety and oral health in adult patients who applied to the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry at Suleyman Demirel University.

METHODS

The study included 500 subjects. The dental anxiety levels of the patients were determined using a modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS). Information on sociodemographic details, oral hygiene and nutritional habits were recorded. Intraoral examinations of the subjects were performed. Caries prevalence of individuals was determined using the decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed, missing, or filled surfaces (DMFS) indices. Gingival health was evaluated using the gingival index (GI). Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests and Spearman correlation analysis.

RESULTS

The ages of the 276 female and 224 male participants ranged from 18-84 years. The median MDAS value was 9.00. The median DMFT and DMFS values were 10.00 and 23.00, respectively. The median MDAS values ​​of women were higher than those of men. Individuals who postponed their appointment had a higher MDAS median value than those who did not (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between dental anxiety level (MDAS) and GI, DMFT and DMFS index scores (Spearman correlation analysis, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The MDAS values of individuals who did not remember the reason for their dental visit were higher than those who visited the dentist for routine control. Based on the findings of this study, further research on the relationship between dental anxiety and oral health is necessary to determine the factors that pose a risk for dental anxiety and to ensure the regular benefits of dental services.

Investigate the role of positive and negative memories from dentistry in the anxiety of dental patients in Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Several research works show that anxiety is more common in women, low-income classes, and middle-aged and elderly populations. The present study aimed to investigate the role of positive and negative memories in patients' anxiety referred to the dental clinics, offices, and schools of Kerman, Iran, in 2018-2019.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study, the participants were selected among individuals referred to the dental offices, schools, and clinics of Kerman, Iran. In this study, 500 questionnaires were distributed among the participants (based on census method), and of these, 482 of which were reviewed (response rate = 96.4%). The questionnaire used in this study contained four categories of questions, including demographic information, general questions about dentistry, Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale, and Autobiographical Memory Questionnaire. Analysis of variance, t-test, and Chi-square test were used to analyze.

RESULTS

Overall, 281 participants were female, and 201 were male. Based on the findings, dental visits were enjoyable and pleasant experiences for 154 participants, and 165 patients were anxious while the dentist prepared for a restorative treatment. This study showed that people with negative memories had more anxiety. Anxiety was also significantly associated with positive memories, higher education, and gender (female) (P < 0.05). Also, the most negative memories of dental treatments were associated with increased anxiety about dental treatments in adults (P < 0.05), while positive memories did not have a relationship any with decreased anxiety (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The most negative memories of dental treatments were associated with increased anxiety about dental treatments in adults, while positive memories did not have any expected inverse relationship with anxiety.

To assess the prevalence of dental anxiety among patients visiting a teaching dental hospital in Lucknow, India and their self-perceived treatment needs

Image 1 Patients self assessment was a good predictor of patient dental status.

Educational, psychosocial, and clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on medical students in the United States

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic altered education, exams, and residency applications for United States medical students.

AIM

To determine the specific impact of the pandemic on US medical students and its correlation to their anxiety levels.

METHODS

An 81-question survey was distributed via email, Facebook and social media groups using REDCap^TM. To investigate risk factors associated with elevated anxiety level, we dichotomized the 1-10 anxiety score into low (≤ 5) and high (≥ 6). This cut point represents the 25^th percentile. There were 90 (29%) shown as low anxiety and 219 (71%) as high anxiety. For descriptive analyses, we used contingency tables by anxiety categories for categorical measurements with chi square test, or mean ± STD for continuous measurements followed by t-test or Wilcoxson rank sum test depending on data normality. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator was used to select important predictors for the final multivariate model. Hierarchical Poisson regression model was used to fit the final multivariate model by considering the nested data structure of students clustered within State.

RESULTS

397 medical students from 29 states were analyzed. Approximately half of respondents reported feeling depressed since the pandemic onset. 62% of participants rated 7 or higher out of 10 when asked about anxiety levels. Stressors correlated with higher anxiety scores included “concern about being unable to complete exams or rotations if contracting COVID-19” (RR 1.34; 95%CI: 1.05-1.72, P = 0.02) and the use of mental health services such as a “psychiatrist” (RR 1.18; 95%CI: 1.01-1.3, P = 0.04). However, those students living in cities that limited restaurant operations to exclusively takeout or delivery as the only measure of implementing social distancing (RR 0.64; 95%CI: 0.49-0.82, P < 0.01) and those who selected “does not apply” for financial assistance available if needed (RR 0.83; 95%CI: 0.66-0.98, P = 0.03) were less likely to have a high anxiety.

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 significantly impacted medical students in numerous ways. Medical student education and clinical readiness were reduced, and anxiety levels increased. It is vital that medical students receive support as they become physicians. Further research should be conducted on training medical students in telemedicine to better prepare students in the future for pandemic planning and virtual healthcare.

Evaluation of ICCMS versus CAMBRA Caries Risk Assessment Models Acquisition on Treatment Plan in Young Adult Population: A Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE

To evaluate the difference between ICCMS and CAMBRA models on treatment plan of young adults.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A total of 104 young adult patients were randomly divided into two groups, either ICCMS or CAMBRA.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were examined according to the criteria of the ICDAS-II and caries risk was analyzed according to CAMBRA and divided into two equal groups according to treatment protocol. Caries incidence was assessed according to ICDAS-II criteria after 6 and 12 months. Statistical analysis used Chi-square test. A value of P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Relative risk (RR) was used to determine the clinical significance.

RESULTS

The current study has revealed no statistically significant difference between both caries risk assessment models tested at baseline (P = 0.317), 6 months (P = 0.164) and 1 year (P = 0.287). Intra-group assessment of CAMBRA group showed a statistically significant difference in ICDAS scores (P = 0.002) after 12 months in high- and moderate-risk groups while low-risk group did not show statistically significant difference in ICDAS scores between different follow-up periods (P = 0.593) and (P = 1.000), respectively. ICCMS groups did not show statistically significant differences in any group along follow-up periods.

CONCLUSION

ICCMS and CAMBRA were equivalent in preventing new decay. The ICCMS treatment plan is a safe approach and its preventive products are available over the counter. However, it is more complicated than CAMBRA. While CAMBRA is simpler, it is less comprehensive, some of its products are not available over the counter worldwide (e.g. Duraphat 5000 ppm) and some of them may be accompanied by several side effects (e.g. chlorhexidine mouthwash), which may weaken its management protocol.

Prevalence Of Dental Anxiety Among University Students And Affect On Dental Attendance

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of dental anxiety in an adult Caribbean population and explore its relationship to socio-demographic factors and dental attendance. Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed to students attending The University of The West Indies, in Trinidad. The questionnaire included demographic items, self-rated oral health and dental attendance and the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). This self-reported instrument has five questions about anxiety to dental treatment rated on a 5- point scale (1=not anxious to 5=extremely anxious). Results: 197 university students participated in the study. 51.3% were male. 76% were 18-24 years-old. Overall, 62.4% of participants reported a low level of dental anxiety (MDAS 5-14), 22.3% moderate dental anxiety (MDAS 15-18) and 15.2% severe dental anxiety (MDAS 19+). Over a quarter of participants reported that they would be extremely anxious if they were to have a tooth drilled or about to have a local anaesthetic injection (27.4% and 26.9% respectively). Higher mean anxiety scores were reported by female participants those who had difficulty finding dental care or had avoided going to the dentist due to fear of treatment (t-test p<0.05) and those with lower self-rated oral health (ANOVA p<0.05), Conclusions: Among this sample of university students, the majority of participants reported low levels of dental anxiety. Higher dental anxiety levels were associated with gender, difficulty finding dental care, avoiding dental visits due to fear and lower self-rated oral health.