Dental Anxiety in Adult Patients during Oral Surgery At Bacha Khan College of Dentistry, Mardan

Abstract

Background: Dental anxiety, also known as dental phobia, is an intense fear of dental experiences, procedures, and treatments, leading to avoidance or extreme anxiety during dental visits. Objective: The current study aimed to find out the dental anxiety levels in patients visiting dental hospitals for oral surgery procedures in Mardan Medical Complex. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive evaluation was conducted on 101 patients to assess their levels of anxiety, utilizing Corah’s Anxiety Scale. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Iqra National University, and the data were collected from Bacha khan college of Dentistry, Mardan over the time period spanning from April 2023 to June 2023. A sample size of 101 patients was selected and a standard questionnaire was distributed among the patients to find out about the dental anxiety levels in different patients visiting dental hospitals for oral surgery procedures at Mardan Medical Complex. Finally, the data was analyzed through SPPS statistics software to find out about the significance between the variables. Results: Among 101 patients, 59 were male, while 42 were females. 9.9% of the patients experienced high anxiety during both procedures, such as extraction and dental implant therapy. 29.7 had mild anxiety, 51.4 had moderate anxiety, and 8.9% had severe anxiety (phobia) during extraction, per Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale. A p-value of 0.027 indicates a statistically significant relationship between oral surgery and anxiety levels. Dentists should consider individual anxiety levels to enhance patient comfort during these procedures. Conclusion: In conclusion, 9.9% of patients experienced high anxiety during both procedures. The p-value (0.027) underscores the importance of recognizing the impact of dental surgery on anxiety, emphasizing the need for tailored care to enhance patient comfort and well-being.