Over dental anxiety problems among university students: perspective from Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Oral health seeking behavior is compromised by dental anxiety, and affects quality of life. This preliminary study using convenience sampling was conducted among university students in the cities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Multan, Pakistan, using standardized, valid and reliable scales to determine the prevalence and correlates of dental anxiety. Cumulatively 503 students including 278 males and 225 females completed the questionnaire. High to severe anxiety on Dental Anxiety Scale-Revised was reported by 60 [21.6%] males and 54 [24%] females. Seventy-five [27%] males and 62 [27.6%] females reported being quite afraid to very afraid on Dental Anxiety Question. Results underline the need for population-based representative studies to determine the prevalence and correlates of dental anxiety for better dental health in Pakistan