Dental anxiety in patients seeking care at the University Dental Hospital in Sri Lanka.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors affecting dental anxiety in patients seeking dental care.


METHODS
A cross sectional study.


METHODS
503 first visit patients attending the University Dental Hospital in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.


METHODS
Corah's dental anxiety scale was used to assess the dental anxiety in these patients.


RESULTS
The prevalence of dental anxiety was 32% (DAS score > or = 12) while 12% were considered to be extremely anxious (DAS score > or = 15). Females were found to be more dentally anxious than males. Level of education was associated with dental anxiety. Problem oriented attenders had a significantly higher mean DAS score than regular attenders. Those who had an extraction at the last dental visit were significantly more dentally anxious than those who had a restoration/scaling. Negative dental experience was not associated with dental anxiety. The logistic regression model revealed that gender, level of education and 'fear' which was cited as the reason for the delay in seeking care for the presenting complaint were significant predictors of dental anxiety. However, only 4% of the variation in dental anxiety could be explained by these independent variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Socio-demographic factors and variables related to past dental experiences had a limited influence in explaining dental anxiety in this sample of dental patients.
Ekanayake
L
L
Department of Community Dental Health, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
Dharmawardena
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data