Dental fear among a young adult Saudian population

Abstract

Aims:To assess the prevalence of dental fear and reasons for irregular dental attendance among young adult university students; to describe the gender distribution of the dentally anxious population according to the perceived origins or sources of fear; to identify the time of fear development and preference for anaesthesia or sedation before dental treatment. Method: A questionnaire incorporating the Dental Fear Scale (DFS) with items related to sources of dental fear stimuli, together with the preference of anaesthesia or sedation before dental treatment and other characteristics. Approximately 500 questionnaires were distributed among Saudian undergraduate students. Results: 368 questionnaires were completed and presented for statistical analysis. The sight and sensation of anaesthetic needles and the sight, sound and sensation of the drill were rated the most fear-eliciting stimuli. Also, females tended to be more anxious than males. Increased heart rate was the most common reported physiological response to fear resulting from dental treatment. The overall level of fear of dental work among the studied population was found to be about 39%. 'Lack of time' and 'no need for treatment' were found to be the main reasons for irregular dental visits. Fear of pain and trauma were the major perceived sources of reported fear reactions and were developed mainly during childhood. About 63% of the subjects preferred to have local anaesthesia before dental treatment to prevent or ameliorate dental fear.

Estimating the need for dental sedation. 2. Using IOSN as a health needs assessment tool

“…Dione's 1998 telephone survey stated that while 2.8% of people received sedation or GA, 8.6% would prefer it 4 and a 2001 survey of Saudi adults found 9.8% preferred sedation for their dental treatment. 20 However, many of these studies are actually reporting demand or preference rather than need.…”

Does the trait anxiety affect the dental fear?

“…Some relevant variables include any traumatic experiences in the childhood, negative attitudes about dental care in the family, and negative perceptions and expectations after the painful dental treatment. 8 Individuals with a high level of dental fear may intend to delay their dental appointments, perpetuating a vicious cycle of dental fear. Contents of this cycle include avoidance, increased the degree of dental problems, and may lead to feelings of embarrassment and inferiority.…”

Physiological Parameters Related To Anxiety In Dental Surgery

“…Other studies also affirmed that women have greater levels of anxiety 25 . The women show, in average, fear and anxiety scores bigger than men towards dental procedures 26,27,28,29 . On Ferraz et al (2007) 14 study, 159 individuals of both genders participated, with indication to dental extraction of at least one tooth.…”