title: Dental anxiety among patients visiting a dental institute in Faridabad, India.
abstract: Despite advances in dentistry, anxiety about dental treatment and the fear of pain remains widespread among patients and is a significant barrier to dental treatment. This study would therefore provide information so as to minimize levels of anxiety and aid in planning stress-free treatment. The cross-sectional study utilizing a self-reported questionnaire based on Modified Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) framed in Hindi (local language) was performed on 1032 patients (aged 14-68 years). Around 1004 questionnaires were returned (response rate--97.3%). Overall, prevalence of dental anxiety was high (50.2%), but severe anxiety (phobia) was low (4.38%). The prevalence of anxiety was seen mostly in the 20-30-year age group (37.3%). Anxiety was also seen to be significantly higher in females (mean - 11.79) than in males [mean - 9.47] (p < 0.0000). Patients anxious about dental procedures are often more difficult to treat. Anxious patients should be identified and managed appropriately by behavioural/pharmacological measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sudha Rustagi College of Dental Sciences and Research, Faridabad, India.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Marya
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jnaneshwar
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pruthi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult