Characteristics and Coronavirus Anxiety Levels of Endodontic Patients During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and coronavirus anxiety levels of patients who applied to an endodontics clinic in Turkey during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 212 patients who applied to an endodontics clinic between January 1 and 31 2021, were asked to complete a questionnaire that included demographic information, Covid-19 history, anxiety history, and coronavirus anxiety scores. After the patients were examined by an endodontist, their complaint, pain level-using the Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS)-clinical findings, periapical index score (PAI), and endodontic diagnosis were recorded. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, while the Chi-square test, Fisher's Exact test, Fisher Freeman Halton test, and Yates Continuity Correction were used for the comparison of the qualitative data (significance level, P < 0.05). Results: About half of the patients (43.4%) were diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. The mean of the VNRS was 4.17 +/- 3.14 with a median of 4. Approximately 43% of the patients' PAI scores were 1, which radiologically indicates normal periapical structures. When patients' coronavirus anxiety scores were evaluated, 86.8% were categorized as non-disordered and 13.2% as disordered. Conclusion: Patients tended to visit an endodontics clinic usually for urgent procedures and postponed other dental procedures due to anxiety related to the Covid-19 pandemic in Turkey.