SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF DENTAL ANXIETY AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING A PUBLIC DENTAL CLINIC IN LAGOS, NIGERIA
Aim: Dental anxiety is a subjective state of feelings that is associated with impending danger even when the stimulus or threat is not immediately present or readily identifiable. It has been ranked fifth among commonly feared situations. In Nigeria however, limited studies have been conducted in this field thus far with only one identified study using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. The aim of this study therefore was to assess the level of dental anxiety in dental patients attending the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja (LASUTH) using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS).
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at LASUTH. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection.
Results: The prevalence of dental anxiety was 20.5% while the prevalence of extreme anxiety of 4.1%. Having a local anaesthetic (MDAS≥15 =24.6%) and having a tooth drilled (MDAS≥15=21.3%) were most associated with dental anxiety. The best predictors for dental anxiety from this study were, in descending order, age, education, marital status and gender.
Conclusion: A rapid screening tool such as the MDAS could be routinely applied on prospective dental patients to determine their level of anxiety. Appropriate non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic strategies could then be targeted at vulnerable respondents to make their dental experience as pleasant as possible.