Dental Anxiety among Israeli Children and Adolescents in a Dental Clinic Waiting Room

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dental anxiety among children and adolescents using self-reported questionnaires. Methods: One hundred thirty 7- to 18-year-old patients (mean age=11.37 +/- 2.84) who attended a clinic were asked to complete the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) and the Dental Fear Survey (DFS) in the waiting room. Results: Females demonstrated higher dental anxiety than males. Higher anxiety was observed among patients who had their last dental visit over a year prior to the current visit and among patients who expected operative procedures. Extraction was the most anxiety-producing item. While in the dental chair, teeth cleaning produced significantly more anxiety than restoration. A significant correlation existed between the DAS and the DFS. Conclusions: Pediatric dentists can expect high dental anxiety among: females; patients who wait long periods between visits; and patients expecting operative procedures. Teeth cleaning should not be considered an absolutely non-anxiety producing procedure for the patient.