Evaluation of the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment with manual and ultrasonic instrumantation on anxiety, fear and pain levels

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sociodemographic data, dental habits, anxiety and fear levels of patients who underwent non-surgical periodontal treatment with manual and ultrasonic instrumentation before treatment and the pain levels they felt after treatment. Material and Method: The study included 200 patients who applied to the clinic of Dicle University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology. Sociodemographic data and dental habits of the participants were collected with a questionnaire. Anxiety and fear levels before treatment were measured using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Dental Fear Scale (DFS). Patients who were routinely treated with manual and ultrasonic instruments in the clinic were included in the study. Post-treatment pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The data obtained were recorded and statistically analysed. Results: Among the patients who participated in the study, anxiety and fear of dental treatment were found to be higher in women than in men (p<0.05). Patients treated with manual hand instruments showed higher pain scores than patients treated with ultrasonic instruments, but it was not statistically significant. Anxiety and fear of non-surgical periodontal treatment were found to affect post-treatment pain, but not statistically significant. Conclusion: According to this study, gender may influence dental anxiety, fear and pain. In addition, it can be said that non-surgical periodontal treatment with manual hand instruments produces more pain than treatment with ultrasonic instruments, although not statistically significant. Keywords: Non-surgical periodontal treatment, Dental Anxiety, Dental Fear, Pain.