IADR Abstract Archives
Dental Fear and Anxiety of Future Health Professionals – A Pilot Study
Objectives: The focus of this study was to inaugurate the preliminary data pertaining to dental fear and anxiety among undergraduate students with dental and medical backgrounds.
Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in 2018, involving active dental and medical undergraduates’ in Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus. The validated Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear Scale questionnaire was distributed through convenience sampling to 20 students from each faculty (total sample, n = 40). Consent to participate in this study was taken prior to data collection. Dental anxiety and fear status was determined by averaging the score in Fear Module, with cut point set to be 2.5. Data on dental phobia was also collected. Fisher Exact Test was performed to evaluate the association between the students’ background and dental fear status with p value < 0.05.
Results: All 40 students approached agreed to participate with balance representative from each year of study (n=8). 15% students reported to be having dental anxiety and fear while 12.5% were dental phobic. Fisher’s exact test found no association between student’s background and dental anxiety and fear status (p=0.669).
Conclusions: This preliminary study provides sufficient baseline data on dental anxiety and fear among dental and medical undergraduates. These future health professionals do experience dental fear and anxiety despite frequently exposed to healthcare system.
Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted in 2018, involving active dental and medical undergraduates’ in Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus. The validated Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear Scale questionnaire was distributed through convenience sampling to 20 students from each faculty (total sample, n = 40). Consent to participate in this study was taken prior to data collection. Dental anxiety and fear status was determined by averaging the score in Fear Module, with cut point set to be 2.5. Data on dental phobia was also collected. Fisher Exact Test was performed to evaluate the association between the students’ background and dental fear status with p value < 0.05.
Results: All 40 students approached agreed to participate with balance representative from each year of study (n=8). 15% students reported to be having dental anxiety and fear while 12.5% were dental phobic. Fisher’s exact test found no association between student’s background and dental anxiety and fear status (p=0.669).
Conclusions: This preliminary study provides sufficient baseline data on dental anxiety and fear among dental and medical undergraduates. These future health professionals do experience dental fear and anxiety despite frequently exposed to healthcare system.