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. 2016;89(1):143-9.
doi: 10.15386/cjmed-556. Epub 2016 Jan 15.

Dental anxiety and fear among a young population with hearing impairment

Raluca Diana Suhani  1 , Mihai Flaviu Suhani  2 , Mîndra Eugenia Badea  3
Affiliations

Dental anxiety and fear among a young population with hearing impairment

Raluca Diana Suhani et al. Clujul Med. 2016.

Abstract

Background and aim: Dental fear and anxiety is a major barrier for dental care provision. Identifying anxious patients can help dental professionals manage them appropriately. The study aimed at assessing dental fear and anxiety among a deaf population in Cluj-Napoca, Romania and their associated and contributing factors.

Method: In this cross sectional study 165 deaf participants were invited to complete a questionnaire comprising three sections. The first section contained questions about social and economical status, the second comprised a Romanian version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) while part three was the Dental Fear Survey (DFS). Data was introduced and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program, version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA).

Results: Thirty four point nine percent (34.9%) of respondents were found to be insignificantly anxious, 59.7% were moderately or extremely anxious with 5.3% being identified with dental phobia based on the MDAS scores. Mean total score for dental anxiety on the MDAS scale was 13.7. Patients suffering from a prior negative experience were found to be more anxious (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Dental fear and anxiety is widespread in the deaf communities. Higher percentages were observed among women and people with a previous traumatic dental experience.

Keywords: deaf; dental anxiety; dental fear; dental fear survey; modified dental anxiety scale.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prevalence (%) of dental anxiety related to each MDAS questionnaire item.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Distribution (%) of mean total score for dental anxiety on MDAS.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Main reasons for not attending a dentist (%).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Self-assessed dental health related to MDAS score (%).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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