Factors associated with high dental anxiety by the modified dental anxiety scale in dental patients and students

Objectives. The aim of this research was to determine factors associated with high dental anxiety and explain demographic characteristics and dental utilization behaviors in patients with high dental anxiety and students. Methods. In relation to dental anxiety levels classified based on sociodemographical characteristics, significance was determined by a t-test and one-way ANOVA. In addition, the influence of the dental anxiety group was analyzed by logistic regression. Results. Among subjects in the high dental anxiety group, the college student group 19.2% (cut-off score 19) showed a higher frequency number than the patient group 9.7% (cut-off score 19). Among the variables of the high dental anxiety group in the college student group, females 23.7% (cut-off score 19) outnumbered males. Also, subjects aged below 20, which were 24.3% (cut-off score 19) showed the highest frequency number while the highest frequency number in case subjects that postponed their dental appointment was 32.8% (cut-off score 19) or 29.6% for case subjects that cancelled their dental appointment (p<0.05). Among the variables belonging to the high dental anxiety group in the patient group, 21.5% of subjects postponed their dental appointment whereas 20.0% cancelled, and this result was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions. It was found that dental anxiety had a negative effect on a patient's oral cavity health condition because it was an obstacle to dental utilization behavior, thereby ultimately lowering the quality of life associated with oral cavity health. Therefore, it is important that effective plans to reduce dental anxiety should be considered by offering an appropriate clinical & behavioral science-based mediation service after sorting the high dental anxiety group in advance for dental treatment.