Dental phobia: Prevalence and anxiety factors in the city of Mahajanga
1 Department of Conservative Odontology Endodontics, Institute of Tropical Odonto-Stomatology of Madagascar, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar.
2 Psychiatry department, University Hospital, Tuléar, Madagascar.
3 Department of Dentofacial orthopedics, Institute of Tropical Odonto-Stomatology of Madagascar, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar.
4 Department of Dental prosthesis, Institute of Tropical Odonto-Stomatology of Madagascar, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar.
Research Article
Magna Scientia Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022, 06(01), 062–067
Article DOI: 10.30574/msarr.2022.6.1.0068
Publication history:
Received on 10 September 2022; revised on 15 October 2022; accepted on 18 October 2022
Abstract:
Introduction: One of the obstacles to dental care in the general population is dental phobia. Fear of the dentist has a negative impact on oral health, as well as the course of dental care. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of dental phobias in the Mahajanga’s population.
Method: This is a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study, using the MDSA scale or modified Corah scale. A cluster survey was conducted to constitute the sample.
Results: The study population was 210, among them 57, 2% were women with a sex ratio of 0.73; the age of the study population ranged from 18 to 60 years old, 40% were in the age group of 18 to 35 years old. Age was significantly associated with the occurrence of dental phobia. Anxiogenic factors observed were: the noise of instruments (p = 0.000), anesthesia (p = 0.000) and fear of pain (p = 0.000).
Conclusion: This study has shown that dental phobia exists in our society. Improving communication between caregivers and the patient could improve care in the dental environment.
Keywords:
Dental phobia; Prevalence; Anxiety factors; Mahajanga
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