The Prevalence of Dental Anxiety among Dental Patients in Qassim Region

Abstract

Objective : This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dental anxiety among patients visiting dental clinics in the Al-Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The 377 participants were selected from three major cities in the Al-Qassim region - Buridah, Onizah, and Alrass. A self-administered questionnaire based on the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) was used to gather the responses of the participants. The questionnaires were handed to respondents during their regular visits to dental clinics . Results: The findings of the study revealed that 19% of the sample population suffer from severe dental anxiety. The analysis showed that feelings associated with anesthetic injection are the most-anxiety provoking factor while the next day visit is the least anxiety-provoking item. The findings also found female patients are more anxious than their male counterparts and the difference between means of both genders is statistically significant. The study also noted that young age is associated with a high prevalence of dental anxiety. Conclusion: The patients who come to visit dental clinics located in the Al-Qassim region feel dental anxiety. The prevalence is higher among females than male patients. Moreover, young patients demonstrated a higher prevalence of dental anxiety than patients of mature ages. Keywords: Dental anxiety, Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, MDAS, Al-Qassim