• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.419-436
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• 2006

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore dental hygiene treatment fear and anxiety in dental patients. METHODS: The sample consisted of 466 dental patients who had received the dental hygiene treatment at 8 Dental Hospitals and Clinics in Daegu city between March and August 2006 studied. Dental hygienists recruited a questionnaire, which includes generalized anxiety sub-scale(4 items), specific fear sub-scale(5 items), distrust sub-scale(5 items), and catastrophic anxiety sub-scale(4 items). Minimum score is 1, and maximum score is 5. The research was designed to be a cross-sectional measured study. SAS statistical software was used for the analysis. The characteristics of the study sample were described by mean and standard deviation(SD) for continuous variables and by frequency and percentage for categorical variables. The Student's t-test and analysis of variance(ANOVA) were used to compare fear and anxiety score in demographic variables. A Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted for relationship among values of fear and anxiety for dental hygiene. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors associated with fear and anxiety related with dental hygiene. RESULTS: A total of 466 dental patients were analyzed, their average age${\pm}$SD was $37.7{\pm}12.9$ years(range: 15-79 yr). The mean value for dental hygiene fear and anxiety was 2.70(generalized anxiety 2.65, specific fear 2.93, distrust anxiety 2.72, and catastrophic anxiety 2.42, respectively). There was a statistically significant difference in gender(p<0.05), 2.81 for women was higher than 2.55 for men(p=.0000). The older we are, the higher fear and anxiety for dental hygiene treatment were. that is, under age of 20 years 2.49, 20 years 2.59, 30 years 2.69, 40 years 2.77, 50 years 2.88, 60 years 2.69, and over age of 70 2.45, respectively(p=.0321). Factors related to dental hygiene treatment fear and anxiety by multiple regressions were gender(${\square}$=0.18, p=0.0001), age(${\square}$=.07, p=.0058), and the time when visits dentist recently(${\square}$=.07, p=.0058). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, gender, age and the time when visits dentist recently were significantly associated with dental hygiene treatment fear and anxiety. We recommend that further research should investigate a dental hygiene treatment fear and anxiety by using more follow-up study.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.645-650
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate dental clinic fear and anxiety in high school students. Methods : The subjects were 311 high school students aged 19 years. They completed self-reported questionnaire including general characteristics, dental clinic experiences, dentist or dental hygienist confidence, and dental fear. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. Results : Poor oral health status showed negative attitude towards dental clinic visit. Girl students tended to have more fear than boy students. Muscle tension was the most common experience and was closely related to anesthetic needles and drills. Dental anxiety was caused by lack of confidence to dentists and dental hygienists. Students were more afraid of dentists than dental hygienists. Higher score of dental anxiety seemed to be associated with infrequent visit to dental clinic. Conclusions : Frequent regular dental checkup may reduce dental fear and anxiety. Dental clinic staff should try to minimize dental anxiety in performing treatment.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.53-63
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between conscious sedation, a moderate sedation method used to reduce dental fear, and anxiety. Methods: The previously developed modified dental anxiety investigation scale (MDAS) and dental fear investigation scale (DFS) were investigated using a self-administered survey for adults aged 19 to 65 years old who visited a dental clinic located in Daegu City from April to November 2020. Those who met the ASA Recommendation Level 1 to 2 were the subjects of this study. The participants were evaluated using the sedation severity rating scale (OAA/S) during the implementation of conscious sedation. A lot of 106 valid questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Dental fear and anxiety decreased significantly after dental care with conscious sedation. Dental fear after dental care accompanied by conscious sedation was statistically significant in females, those under the age of 40, those with a bachelor's degree or higher, and those who weighed 60 kg or less. Conclusions: Dental care using conscious sedation was found to have an effect on the reduction of dental fear after the dental procedure. Dental fear can occur in people of all ages, and, regardless of the individual's general and physical characteristics, conscious calming is considered an effective intervention for dental fear in all adults.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.193-212
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• 2023

It is important to understand patients' anxiety and fear about dental treatment. A patient's anxiety can be quantified through a self-report questionnaire, and many related scales have been developed. In this review, I tried to find out which scale is most suitable for the patient's dental anxiety and fear evaluation by examining the contents of previously developed scales and comparing the strengths and weaknesses of each scale.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.405-413
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• 2013

Pediatric and adolescent dental anxiety and fear have been researched in the connection with behavior modification for a long time and this dental anxiety can persist until the adult hoods resulting in extreme fear of and avoidance of dental treatments and causes oral health deterioration. However, the domestic researches regarding adolescent dental anxiety and fear are insufficient. For this reason, this study aims to examine the level of fear and the influential factors affecting their dental fear and to utilize the result as the basic materials in the dental management. The subjects were the students from a middle school located in Gyeonggi-Do. The school was selected by convenient sampling and self-answered questionnaire was filled in by the students. The distribution of responses in each category of fear was examined by frequency analysis. The analysis was conducted using cross tabulation in order to examine the difference between male students and female students and using independent sample t-test in order to compare the fear score of each category. The study results showed the fear score of female students for the category 'causing irritation during the dental treatments' was significantly higher in statistics(p<0.05). Therefore, these results should be reflected to the dental care environments in order for the adolescent to reduce the dental anxiety and fear.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.353-360
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of conscious sedation on patient satisfaction with dental treatment. Methods: The survey included questions on the patients' general characteristics, dental treatment fear, anxiety, and satisfaction, and patient evaluation by an observer. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0 ver. and data were analyzed using frequency analysis, independent t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multilinear regression analysis. Results: Patients who received conscious sedation therapy showed significantly lower levels of dental fear and anxiety, whereas their dental treatment satisfaction was significantly higher than that of patients who received regular dental treatment (p<0.05). Dental treatment fear, anxiety, satisfaction, and conscious sedation depth were significantly correlated in patients who received conscious sedation therapy (p<0.05). Factors influencing dental treatment satisfaction included age, weight, use of medication, smoking habits, use of conscious sedation therapy, dental treatment fear and anxiety, and conscious sedation depth (p<0.05). Conclusions: Conscious sedation therapy can be an effective method to reduce dental treatment fear and anxiety and improve patient satisfaction.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.369-376
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• 2015

The purposes of this study were to assess dental fear and anxiety level of patients attending a dental clinic using the dental fear survey (DFS) scale, to apply interventions chosen by patients for reducing dental fear and anxiety and measure their effects. This study surveyed 34 patients who visited a dental clinic in Seoul about their self-rated health and their experience of dental fear, and measured the level of dental fear using DFS. Trained dental hygienists applied interventions desired by the patients for reducing dental fear and anxiety and, for each intervention, examined the patients' satisfaction (very helpful [5 point]~not helpful at all [1 point]). Collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0 through independent t-test or one-way ANOVA for difference in level of fear according to related characteristics, and through Wilcoxon signed rank test for comparison between before and after the intervention. The subjects' mean level of fear (DFS score) was 44.53, which was an average level, and the level of dental fear was relatively high for stimulus-response (2.72). The level of dental fear was higher in those who had experienced pains or indirect dental fear from dental treatment in the past, and those whose subjectively perceived health state was poor (p<0.05). With regard to the applied dental fear intervention, 'Helpful (3.57)' was the most common answer. Overall satisfaction before and after the application of dental fear intervention was generally high as 4.37 and 4.35, respectively, but it decreased slightly after the intervention. In order to lower the level of dental fear, it is considered effective to survey not only the level of dental fear but also patients' need of dental fear interventions and to apply a suitable intervention. It is also required to educate dental workers and to develop related manuals.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2019

Objective: Dental fear is a feeling of anxiety and fear without intervention during a dental visit, mainly due to past negative dental treatment experiences, and in adults, despite the recognition of the need for dental treatment, it can lead to avoidance of dental treatment, which may cause deterioration of oral health. Therefore, this study was conducted to measure dental fear and anxiety level in some adults, and to identify related factors and their causes. Methods: This study used Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey scale and the SPSS 21 program (IBM SPSS Statistics 21) was used for analysis. Result: When the dental fear was the higher, the "access to the dental clinic" was found to be the highest, followed by "sitting in dental unit chair" and "smell of dental clinic" in that order. Conclusions: Dentists and dental hygienists should be able to understand the fear, anxiety, and concerns of the dentist office and to find various ways to provide systematic medical services.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2015

Background: There are few previous studies investigating the relationship of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) with dental pain among children and adolescents. To address this issue, we examined the literature published between November 1873 and May 2015 to evaluate the prevalence of DFA and dental pain among children and adolescents, and their relationships with age and sex. Methods: We performed a broad search of the PubMed database using 3 combinations of the search terms dental fear, anxiety, and dental pain and prevalence. A large proportion of the identified articles could not be used for the review due to inadequate end points or measures, or because of poor study design. Thirty-two papers of acceptable quality were identified and reviewed. Results: We found that the prevalence of DFA was estimated to be 10%, with a decrease in prevalence with age. It was more frequently seen in girls, and was related to dental pain. Conclusions: We concluded that dental fear, anxiety, and pain are common, and several psychological factors are associated with their development. In order to better understand these relationships, further clinical evaluations and studies are required.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.937-947
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the factors that prevent dental patients from visiting the dental clinic. Methods: From June 22, 2020 to July 17, 2020, among patients 10 years or older who had visited the dental clinic, 314 individuals who agreed to the study were asked to fill out a self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics 22.0 program, and the significance level was set at 0.05. Results: The dental avoidance factors according to the general characteristics were high in women and housewives, and among the dental-related characteristics, the most common reason for visiting the dental clinic was experiencing pain. The factors influencing anxiety were fear, environment, stimulus, age, and exercise, and the factors influencing the fear were anxiety, stimulus, subjective oral health status, education, and exercise. The factors influencing the stimulus were environmental factors, fear, anxiety, and age, and the factors that influenced environmental factors were stimulus and anxiety. Conclusions: There is a need to develop measures and policies to overcome fear of dental procedures, such as developing a dental experience program and allowing patients to experience dental fear and anxiety in advance.