Self-assessment of Dental Anxiety and Fear among Dental Students in a Saudi Arabian College

Abstract

Introduction: The objective was to determine the levels of anxiety and fear of dental students in relation to dental treatment. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and included all dental students registered at a Saudi dental college in 2013/2014. Dental fear and anxiety were evaluated using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Dental Fear survey (DFS). All data was anonymous and confidential. Results: A total 143 students completed the questionnaire (response rate of 88%) of which 67% were female. Females were significantly more anxious compared to males (p<0.01) and there was a positive correlation between dental anxiety and dental fear, patients with dental anxiety were more likely to have dental fear as well. Pre-clinical students reported significantly higher levels of dental fear (p=0.014) and anxiety scores (p=0.008) compared to clinical students. In addition, between 10% and 20% of students reported high levels of dental anxiety and fear respectively and females’ demonstrated higher dental anxiety and fear scores than males. The administration of an anaesthetic injection was the highest cause for both dental fear and anxiety. Conclusion: Female demonstrated higher dental anxiety and dental fear scores than males. In addition pre-clinical students demonstrated higher dental anxiety and dental fear scores than clinical students. The most anxious and fearful item was the anaesthetic injection.