IADR Abstract Archives
Causes of Dental Phobia in a Nigerian Dental Clinic
Objectives: Three different terms have been used concerning apprehension in dentistry: dental fear, dental anxiety, and dental phobia. Dental fear is considered to be a reaction to a known danger, whereas in the case of anxiety, the source of the threat is unclear or ambiguous. Dental phobia which has negatively affected oral health care globally is basically same as fear, only much stronger. This study sought to identify the causes of dental phobia in a Nigerian Dental clinic.
Methods: Cross sectional study involving 150 adult patients seen at a dental clinic for different oral complaints. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Dental Concerns Assessment Form (1998) and analyzed using SPSS V21.
Results: Gender distribution was 42% v 58% (M:F). Dental phobia was recorded in 30% (45/150) out of which female patients (75%) and those who had severe dental pain at presentation (81%) had more phobia p < 0.05. Major causes were: possibility of pain from dental treatment (87%, p=0.000), sight of instrument (75%, p=0.000), fear of injection (65%, p=0.025), and reports of past dental experience from friends and relations (59%, p=0.005). For those with dental phobia, 69% had been with dental pain for >3 weeks before presentation. In their opinion of what they think could be done to reduce dental phobia, 88 (59%) patients suggested patient enlightenment and education concerning dental treatment procedures.
Conclusions: This study identified potential pain as a recurring denominator for dental phobia in the studied population. This may also explain the reason why most of the patients with dental phobia presented late (with severe pain) for treatment reducing the effectiveness of treatment experience and productivity of dental treatment outcomes. As it has been suggested in literatures, different behavioral techniques could help individuals with dental phobia alongside consistent patient education and enlightenment.
Methods: Cross sectional study involving 150 adult patients seen at a dental clinic for different oral complaints. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire adapted from the Dental Concerns Assessment Form (1998) and analyzed using SPSS V21.
Results: Gender distribution was 42% v 58% (M:F). Dental phobia was recorded in 30% (45/150) out of which female patients (75%) and those who had severe dental pain at presentation (81%) had more phobia p < 0.05. Major causes were: possibility of pain from dental treatment (87%, p=0.000), sight of instrument (75%, p=0.000), fear of injection (65%, p=0.025), and reports of past dental experience from friends and relations (59%, p=0.005). For those with dental phobia, 69% had been with dental pain for >3 weeks before presentation. In their opinion of what they think could be done to reduce dental phobia, 88 (59%) patients suggested patient enlightenment and education concerning dental treatment procedures.
Conclusions: This study identified potential pain as a recurring denominator for dental phobia in the studied population. This may also explain the reason why most of the patients with dental phobia presented late (with severe pain) for treatment reducing the effectiveness of treatment experience and productivity of dental treatment outcomes. As it has been suggested in literatures, different behavioral techniques could help individuals with dental phobia alongside consistent patient education and enlightenment.