EVALUATION OF DENTAL ANXIETY IN PATIENTS REQUESTING PERIODONTAL TREATMENT WITH STATE-TRAIT ANXIETY INVENTORY

Ebru Sarıbaş^{1, *}, Semra Eser²

¹Dicle University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology Diyarbakır, Turkey - ²Private Practice Ankara, Turkey

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the anxiety levels of patients who apply to our clinic and to determine the relationships between gender, age and education levels, tooth brushing habits and frequency of going to the dentist. Anxiety is a condition that has both psychological and physiological parameters, which is generally accepted as an expression of the person's struggle against stress. Psychological symptoms; delusion, fear, fatigue, exhaustion, insomnia and difficulty concentrating. Physiological symptoms are; headache, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, restlessness, paresthesias, and dry mouth. Dental anxiety is strong negative feelings about dental procedures. Delaying or avoiding dental treatment due to fear and expectation of pain may cause more serious dental problems over time, and this may be the beginning of serious systemic disorders. For all these reasons, eliminating dental anxiety is very important in dental practice.

Methods: The study was carried out on 925 individuals who applied to Dicle University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology. Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to determine anxiety levels. In addition, gender, age and education levels, previous visit to the dentist, incidence of complications, tooth brushing habits and frequency of going to the dentist were used. related data has been recorded.

Result: The level of anxiety was found to be higher in women, in the 30-39 age group, in people with low educational status, who had not been to the dentist before, and who did not have regular brushing habits. 

Conclusion: we think that the level of anxiety may play an important role during periodontal treatment and it is necessary to take the necessary measures to relax the patients.