EVALUATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING DENTAL ANXIETY IN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Objectives: Dental anxiety determines the frequency of dental treatment availed with long-term implications in oral health maintenance. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of sociodemographic data, dental anxiety levels of parents, family functionality, perceived family support and other associated factors on dental anxiety of adolescents. Materials and Methods: 213 adoloscents who applied to the Pediatric Dental Clinic and their parents were included in the study and their sociodemographic data were recorded. The Corah Dental Anxiety Scale was applied to the adolescents and their parents to determine dental anxiety and the Perceived Family Support Scale was applied to measure the perceived family support of the adolescents. Regarding the family functionality, the parents answered the Family Assessment Device. Results: The avarage dental anxiety level of the adolescents was 8.87±3.10. The family functions were unhealthy in terms of roles, and affective involvement. According to the multiple regression analysis, the predictors of dental anxiety levels were family functionality, maternal educational level, previous application to the dentist, having negative experience in the past, the choosing of a dental treatment center, and training regarding dental treatment. Conclusions: Clinicians should consider that socio-cultural characteristics, family functionality and support may affect dental anxiety, and the improvement of the physical environment may be effective in reducing dental anxiety during dental treatment of adolescents.

Keywords

• adolescents
• dental anxiety
• family functionality
• perceived family support
• sociodemographic factors