Page 131 - 7. FINAL draft Compendium 2019 2020_22072022

DENTAL ANXIETY AMONG ENDODONTIC PATIENTS
NMRR-16-2890-33288

Shu NT, Isma LA, Yi YT

Introduction: Anxiety towards dental treatment contribute to the avoidance of dental care,
especially in endodontic treatment. This undesirable public perception is due to
endodontic treatment association with pain and extensive treatment time. Objectives: To
assess the level of anxiety among patients undergoing endodontic treatment and to
analyse factors associated with the level of anxiety among endodontic patients. Materials
and Methods: A total of 61 patients in Restorative Specialist Clinic participated in this cross-
sectional study. A validated Malay version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS)
was used to measure the level of dental anxiety. The maximum score for MDAS was 25
points. The cut-off score for a patient with dental anxiety was set at 19 points. The data
collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Student’s t-test in SPSS (Version
14.0). Results: About 41% of patients (n=25) showed highest anxiety level (MDAS score 4
& 5) when wait for anaesthetic injection, followed by waiting for drilling (14.8%, n=9). While
most of the patients only showed slightly anxious (MDSA score 2) when waiting for drilling
(47.5%, n=29) and for scaling (42.6%, n=26). Older patients had lesser anxiety compared to
younger patients. Women demonstrated higher levels of endodontic anxiety than men.
Almost half (46.6%) of patients who have previous endodontic experiences scored lower in
MDAS assessment. Patients who received scaling treatment before endodontic treatment
have significantly lower MDAS score (p<0.005). Conclusion: The majority of endodontic
patients were very anxious while waiting for anaesthetic injection followed by drilling.
Patients with previous experiences in endodontic treatment tend to have less anxiety.
Poster presentation at the 28 MDA SCATE 2021 on 27 February 2021
th
th
Dr Shu Ni Teng
Kangar Dental Clinic
Perlis

Dr Isma Liza binti Ali
Dr Yi You Tan
Restorative Dental Specialist Unit
Beseri Dental Clinic
Perlis

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