Dental anxiety: score, prevalence and behavior

Authors

  • Cláudio Maniglia Ferreira Universidade de Fortaleza
  • Eduardo Diogo Gurgel-Filho Universidade de Fortaleza
  • Guilherme Bönecker-Valverde Universidade de Fortaleza
  • Elbio Holanda Moura Universidade de Fortaleza
  • Gustavo de Deus Unniversidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro
  • Tauby Coutinho-Filho Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5020/676

Keywords:

Ansiedade odontológica, Medo, Tratamento odontológico.

Abstract

Literature reveals very devoid regarding dental anxiety in the brazilian population. The purposal of this study was to evaluate the dental anxiety expressed among pacients undergoing dental treatment at the University of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, considering social parameter, past dental experience, time of last visit to dentist, and tooth related simptoms. A total of 300 individuals (150 male and 150 female) selected at random responded to a questionary containing the dental anxiety scale (DAS) and to questions about their socio-economic level and their behavior with respect to dental treatment. The mean DAS score for the sample was 11,65±0,15 (11,8±0,21 for women and 11,5±0,21 for men). Individuals with scores of 15 or more were considered anxious, and their prevalence in the sample was 18%. Comparision of normal and anxious individuals showed that there was no difference in their distribution in relation to educational level or monthly family income, but that anxious individuals avoid dental treatment more frequently either by failing to appear for their visits or looking for a dentist after longer periods of time.

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Author Biographies

Cláudio Maniglia Ferreira, Universidade de Fortaleza

Mestre em Endodontia, Professor da Clínica Integrada do Curso de Odontologia – UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.

Eduardo Diogo Gurgel-Filho, Universidade de Fortaleza

Doutor em Endodontia, Professor da Clínica Integrada do Curso de Odontologia – UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.

Guilherme Bönecker-Valverde, Universidade de Fortaleza

Mestre em Prótese Dentária, Professor da Clínica Integrada do Curso de Odontologia – UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.

Elbio Holanda Moura, Universidade de Fortaleza

Especialista em Prótese Dentária, Professor da Clínica Integrada do Curso de Odontologia – UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil.

Gustavo de Deus, Unniversidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro

Mestre em Endodontia, Professor de Endodontia do Curso de Odontologia – UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Tauby Coutinho-Filho, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro

Doutor em Endodontia, Professor de Endodontia do Curso de Odontologia – UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

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Published

2012-01-03

How to Cite

Ferreira, C. M., Gurgel-Filho, E. D., Bönecker-Valverde, G., Moura, E. H., de Deus, G., & Coutinho-Filho, T. (2012). Dental anxiety: score, prevalence and behavior . Brazilian Journal in Health Promotion, 17(2), 51–55. https://doi.org/10.5020/676

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2004)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2012 Brazilian Journal in Health Promotion

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