title: A cross-sectional analysis of the prevalence of dental anxiety and its relation to the oral health-related quality of life in patients with dental treatment needs at a university clinic in Switzerland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this observational, cross-sectional study was to analyse the relationship between dental anxiety (DA) and health-related quality of life aspects associated with oral conditions of a population with dental treatment needs in Switzerland.
  
  
  METHODS
  The measurements of DA were collected by means of two questionnaires, the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). The sample included 223 patients enrolled at a university clinic which specialises in oral prosthetic rehabilitation and temporomandibular disorders. Of them, 78.9% were at or above the age of 50.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No gender or age dependencies were observed. A comparison of answers regarding OHRQoL and DA revealed a significant interdependence (p = 0.0118); highly anxious patients were 3.55 times more likely to suffer from poor quality of life compared with less anxious ones.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This cross-sectional study of mostly elderly patients seeking dental treatment in Switzerland found that increased DA was associated with an impaired OHRQoL. The average DA was slightly higher than the results of other industrialised countries and the average OHRQoL was reduced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gisler
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bassetti
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mericske-Stern
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bayer
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Enkling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D017266:Dental Prosthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D013557:Switzerland; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult