Methods of Evaluation of Dental Anxiety in Adults

Anxiety over dental procedures is a prevalent problem both for patients and doctors. Dental fear may lead to avoiding or postponing dental visits. To measure dental anxiety, there are physiological, behavioral and psychological methods in use. Basing on literature, in the paper, questionnaire methods were used to measure anxiety in adults: Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey (DFS), Gatchel's 10-Point Dental Fear Scale, Dental Hygiene Fears Survey (DHFS), Fear of Dental Pain questionnaire (FDPQ), Dental Anxiety Question (DAQ) and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Questionnaires used to diagnose fear help to objectify the assessment of the level of dental anxiety. It might be helpful for the doctor in planning treatment and in choosing the relevant therapeutic procedure