Assessment of Dental Anxiety in a Young Population of the North Indian City of Lucknow.

INTRODUCTION

Dental anxiety is a common fear, especially among younger age groups, and it can prevent individuals from seeking necessary dental treatment. Effective communication between dental professionals and young adults is crucial to address this issue. However, factors such as past experiences, peer influences, and coping strategies can impact a young adult's anxiety in a dental setting. This study aims to assess levels of dental anxiety among young adults in Lucknow using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS).

METHODOLOGY

A total of 137 participants (76 females, 61 males), aged 15-20 years, were surveyed across various dental clinics in Lucknow. Statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2015; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York) was conducted to evaluate differences in dental anxiety levels between genders.

RESULT

The results revealed a significant difference in anxiety levels between males and females in specific situations, such as sitting in a waiting room, having a tooth drilled, and receiving local anaesthesia, with females exhibiting higher anxiety scores. However, no significant difference was observed when participants were asked about visiting a dentist the next day or undergoing scaling and polishing.

CONCLUSION

The study concludes that dental anxiety is prevalent among young adults in Lucknow, with females showing higher anxiety levels than males in most situations. Understanding these patterns can help dental professionals tailor their approaches to managing anxiety in younger patients.