The complexity of dental anxiety and its association with oral health‐related quality of life: An exploratory study

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the factors associated with oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a sample with high dental anxiety. Data were obtained from 107 patients attending a therapeutic treatment program for people who have experienced abuse and for those with dental phobia in Norway. Patients completed questionnaires, including the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear, the Anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance scale, measuring OHRQoL prior to treatment. The various measurement instruments were evaluated psychometrically, and the variables associated with OHRQoL were explored using hierarchical multiple regression. Symptoms of dental anxiety and general anxiety were high, while OHRQoL was poor. Dental anxiety, higher age, higher number of years since the last dental treatment, and higher general anxiety were discernibly associated with lower OHRQoL. The strongest association was found between general anxiety and OHRQoL. In conclusion, several factors were associated with OHRQoL in a sample with high dental anxiety, suggesting a complex picture of dental anxiety. When treating patients with high dental anxiety, dental practitioners should be aware that there may be factors complicating the therapeutic setting, such as general anxiety.

Differences in anxiety, depression, and oral health‐related quality of life among dental anxiety patients with and without reported abuse experience

“…*p < 0.05 (t-test). [32]. However, the current study noted that the IDAF scale might be somewhat limited in capturing the different aspects of dental anxiety.…”

“…Another limitation of the present study is that the types of abuse were not differentiated; this would have provided more detailed information about the differences between the groups. A strength is that all questionnaires were validated in a similar sample [32]. However, the current study noted that the IDAF scale might be somewhat limited in capturing the different aspects of dental anxiety.…”

“…Moreover, the questionnaire included standardized instruments designed to measure the symptoms of general anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) [29], OHRQoL (Oral Impacts on Daily Performance [OIDP]) [30], and dental anxiety (Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear [IDAF]‐4C + ) [31]. The Norwegian versions of the instruments measuring general anxiety, OHRQoL, and dental anxiety have been evaluated psychometrically for this patient group and reported in a previous study [32].…”

Dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life among pregnant women: a cross-sectional study

“…In addition, dental anxiety can be one of the factors that compromise oral health care [5]. Dental anxiety is de ned as a state of persistent tension accompanied by a sensation of imminent disaster, which can lead to fear [5], and is triggered speci cally by dental care [6]. Dental anxiety has been related to worse oral outcomes and poorer oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) previously in the literature [5][6][7][8].…”

“…Although some studies have investigated the impacts of dental anxiety and other factors psychological in adults [5,6], elderly [8] and children [7], data on dental anxiety in pregnant women are scarce [12,13]. The physical and emotional wellbeing of the future mother has repercussions for her own health as well as the adequate development of the infant, enabling the child to grow up healthy [7,11].…”