Instruments for anxiety analysis and the utility of its assessment in oral surgical interventions under local anesthesia in patients undergoing four operative procedures

Abstract

Introduction: Fear of intervention in the oral cavity is declared as dental fear and is defined as a specific form of anxiety. The reaction to oral-surgical intervention will also depend on the feeling the patient acquires about the operator, but the positive experience also plays an important role.Aim: The aim is to evaluate differences between the sexes and the influence of experience from a previous oral surgical intervention on a similar subsequent intervention.Material and methods: In the research, anxiety was assessed using Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DASR) and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (X1 and X2). The study included adult patients of both sexes with an indication for surgical extraction of impacted third permanent molars. Preoperative and postoperative anxiety was assessed: 1st measurement (day of examination) - DASR, and STAI (X1 and X2); 2nd measurement (immediately before the intervention) – STAI (X1 and X2); 3rd measurement (day after the intervention) – STAI (X1 and X2).Results: Preoperatively determined high levels of general, immediate, and dental anxiety decreased before the surgical procedure itself and were significantly reduced in the postoperative period. The downward trend continued in line with the positive experience. Women had higher anxiety scores than men for all monitored parameters. The use of the STAI scales to assess anxiety by dental practitioners is on par with other well-known anxiety assessment instruments, such as the DASR. Conclusion: In order to increase patient satisfaction and to prevent possible complications in such oral-surgical procedures, it would be useful to consider adequate therapy for high anxiety.