Prevalence of Dental Anxiety Among Edentulous Patients Receiving Complete Denture Prosthesis

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of dental anxiety among edentulous patients receiving complete dental prosthesis at a tertiary care Hospital.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics, from January to June 2024. Individuals with completely edentulous of either gender, aged between 30 and 70 years, visiting the Prosthodontics department for complete denture treatment, were included. Subsequently all the individuals were assessed for anxiety using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, taking significance level at p < 0.05.

Results: Overall 87 participants were enrolled with mean age of 56.23 ± 8.87 years and a mean duration of edentulism of 3.91 ± 2.51 years. Males were (47.1%) and 46 (52.9%) were females. Overall prevalence of anxiety was noted 43.20%, particularly mild anxiety was in 23%, moderate anxiety was 12.60% and severe anxiety was only 5.70%. Frequency of anxiety was significantly linked to the younger patients (<50 years) contrast to older cases (p = 0.034), while the duration of edentulism, gender, comorbidities, and educational status showed insignificant association with dental anxiety (p = >0.05).

Conclusion: Dental anxiety was observed among nearly a fifth of all patients who had complete denture prostheses with complete edentulous ridge, with most common cause of discomfort with impression materials, gagging and to fear denture breakage.