Periodontoloji kliniğine başvuran hastalarin dental anksiyete düzeylerinin ve ağiz sağliği ile i̇lişkili yaşam kalitesinin belirlenmesi

Dental anxiety is defined as the reaction to the specific stresses which develop in relation to the dental procedures in patients. Oral health related life quality is a concept that gives information about how wellness of a person is affected by psychological, social, functional factors and orofacial problems. Because of the patients with dental anxiety tend to delay or completely avoid dental visits, dental and oral problems could become serious. Oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) of the patients may be well affected by this situation. In our study, we aimed to investigate the possible dental anxiety and OHQoL relations by determining the dental anxiety and the OHQoL levels of the attendants who applied periodontology clinics. 119 participants were enrolled in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics, systemic conditions, oral hygiene habits, dental visit frequencies, earlier dental treatment experiences and individual perceptions of oral health conditions and perceptions of treatment needs were investigated. Dental anxiety was measured by using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) form was also used to determine the anxiety levels. OHQoL levels were determined by using the Oral Health Related Quality of Life- United Kingdom (OHRQoL-UK) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) scales. Full-mouth periodontal and dental examinations were performed. The results revealed strong correlations between dental anxiety and quality of life perceptions at p<0.01 level. OHRQoL-UK and OHIP-14 scales were found to be negatively correlated. OHRQoL-UK scores were found to be correlated with pocket depth, plaque index, gingival index, gingival recession levels and the number of missing and mobile teeth. OHIP-14 scores only correlated with gingival recession and the number of missing teeth. Patients with high dental anxiety suffered considerably from decreased levels of oral health related quality of life. To alleviate dental anxiety and to improve dental health which is necessary for enhancement of oral health related quality of life, application of effective and atraumatic treatment methods with regular dental visits should be scheduled.