Evaluation Of Anxiety Level In Patients Before And After Meeting A Dentist In Dental Clinics Of Hyderabad City, Telangana State, India

Background: Dental anxiety is a significant challenge for many patients and clinicians as it remain a barrier to dental care for a consistent proportion of the population. Helping patients to overcome such anxiety can reduce the incidence of delayed or missed dental visits and the negative repercussions from avoidance of needed care. Objective: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the difference in state anxiety scores of the patients before and after dental visits in dental clinics of Hyderabad city. Method: This is a cross sectional study conducted on 384 patients using modified dental anxiety scale and short version of Spielberg state anxiety inventory scale. The modified dental anxiety scale was recorded prior to the dental visit of the patients. The state anxiety scale was recorded before and after the dental visit. Results: Of the 384 patients who were included in the study 65% of them were not at all calm before the treatment which decreased and only 4% being not at all calm after the treatment. 37% of the patients were very much worried before the treatment and only 9% were worried even after the treatment. Conclusion: Assessment of dental anxiety prior to treatment appears to confer a beneficial effect on the state anxiety of patients.