Assessing the Association of Socio Demographic Factors with Dental Anxiety: A Cross Sectional Study at A Tertiary Care Hospital in Islamabad

Authors

  • Khalid Mahmood Siddiqi Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad
  • Hamza Hassan Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Hina Mahmood Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Anosha Mujtaba School of Dentistry, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad
  • Sameen Iftikhar Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Fatima Asif Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Abdullah bin Zakria Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Sidra Kiran Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32413/pjph.v13i4.1145

Keywords:

Dental anxiety, patients, teaching dental hospital, Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, age, gender, Educational Level, socio-economic status, residence

Abstract

Background: Dental anxiety among patients is a significant impediment leading to delayed or incomplete dental treatment. Understanding the determinants of dental anxiety is crucial, given the potential variations in causative factors across different regions due to cultural diversity and past dental experiences. In light of limited available data and cultural heterogeneity, this study aimed to explore the correlation between age, gender, educational level, socio-economic status, and residence with dental anxiety among patients seeking care at a teaching dental hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 375 patients attending a private teaching hospital was conducted, with dental anxiety assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. Exclusion criteria involved patients with known anxiety disorders or a history of intellectual disabilities.

Results: The findings demonstrated a statistically significant gender-based difference in dental anxiety (p-value: 0.00), with a majority of females exhibiting anxiety levels ranging from moderate to extreme. Additionally, a significant association was observed between socio-economic status and dental anxiety (p-value: 0.03), revealing lower levels of dental anxiety among individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds compared to those from middle and upper socio-economic strata. However, no significant differences were identified in dental anxiety concerning age, educational level, and residence (urban/rural).

Conclusion: The study concludes that targeted anxiety reduction protocols should be prioritized for female patients and those belonging to the upper socio-economic status.

Author Biographies

  • Hamza Hassan, Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Senior registrar

    Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery; Islamabad medical and dental college, Barakahu, Islamabad, Pakistan

  • Hina Mahmood, Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Associate Professor

    Department of Periodontology; Islamabad medical and dental college, Barakahu, Islamabad, Pakistan

  • Sameen Iftikhar, Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan

    House officer, Islamabad medical and dental college, Barakahu

  • Fatima Asif, Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan

    House officer, Islamabad medical and dental college, Barakahu

  • Abdullah bin Zakria, Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan

    House officer, Islamabad medical and dental college, Barakahu

  • Sidra Kiran, Dental Section, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad, Pakistan

    House officer, Islamabad medical and dental college, Barakahu

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Published

28-12-2023

How to Cite

1.
Siddiqi KM, Hassan H, Mahmood H, Mujtaba A, Iftikhar S, Asif F, et al. Assessing the Association of Socio Demographic Factors with Dental Anxiety: A Cross Sectional Study at A Tertiary Care Hospital in Islamabad. Pak J Public Health [Internet]. 2023 Dec. 28 [cited 2024 Oct. 6];13(4):148-50. Available from: https://pjph.org/pjph/article/view/1145