Dental Anxiety and its Impact on Oral Health-Seeking Behavior in Adolescents

Q: What was the study design and sample size?

A cross-sectional study assessed 400 adolescents aged 13–18 from four secondary schools in an urban area.

Q: How was dental anxiety measured?

Dental anxiety was measured using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), where scores ≥19 indicated high anxiety.

Q: What did the study find about the relationship between dental anxiety and care-seeking?

High dental anxiety was associated with infrequent dental visits, symptom-driven consultations, avoidance due to fear, and a higher likelihood of delaying dental care (3.6 times).

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by SANS

Dental anxiety is a common challenge among adolescents and can drive avoidance of dental care, worsening oral health during a key developmental period. A cross-sectional survey assessed 400 adolescents aged 13–18 from four secondary schools using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and a validated questionnaire on oral health-seeking behavior, including visit frequency, avoidance reasons, and symptom-based consultations. Results showed moderate anxiety (mean MDAS 15.3 ± 4.2), with high anxiety in 38.5% and higher prevalence in females; higher anxiety predicted delayed and infrequent, fear-driven dental visits. Early identification and psychological interventions could support regular attendance.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

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Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Original Article Dental Anxiety and its Impact on Oral Health‑Seeking Behavior in Adolescents Balamurugan M1, Purvi M. Bhate2, Pradnya S. Jadhav3, Sumit Nagaraj Ede4, Kushal Gajendra Shinde5, Lavanya Rohatgi6 1Department of Dental Surgery, Government Medical College, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India, 2Public Health Dentistry, ACPM Dental College, Dhule, Maharashtra, India, 3Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital, Chhatrapati, Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India, 4Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dr. Z.A. Dental College AMU Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India, 5Department of Public Health Dentistry, CSMSS Dental College, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India, 6Department of Public Health Dentistry, Mithila Minority Dental College and Hospital Darbhanga, Bihar, India Submitted: 13‑Jul‑2025 Revised: 02‑Aug‑2025 Accepted: 10‑Aug‑2025 Published: 17‑Dec‑2025 Abstract Background: Dental anxiety is a prevalent issue among adolescents and often leads to the avoidance of dental care, exacerbating oral health problems during a critical stage of development. Methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted among 400 adolescents aged 13–18 years from four secondary schools in an urban area. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) was used to assess dental anxiety. Oral health‑seeking behavior was evaluated through a validated questionnaire assessing frequency of dental visits, reasons for avoidance, and symptom‑based consultation patterns. Results: The mean MDAS score was 15.3 ± 4.2, indicating moderate anxiety levels. Among participants, 38.5% had high dental anxiety (MDAS ≥ 19), with significantly higher prevalence in females (45.8%) than males (31.2%, P = 0.003) . Only 27.5% reported routine dental check‑upsin the past year. High anxiety was significantly associated with infrequent dental visits (P < 0.001), symptom‑driven visits (P = 0.002), and avoidance behavior due to fear (P < 0.001) . Logistic regression revealed that adolescents with high dental anxiety were 3.6 times more likely to delay dental care. Conclusion: Dental anxiety significantly impairs oral health-seeking behavior in adolescents. Early identification and psychological interventions may promote regular dental visitsand improve overall oral health outcomes in this age group. Keywords: Adolescents, dental anxiety, oral health Introduction ental anxiety Dphenomenon is a well‑documented psychological characterized by excessive fear or stress in dental settings, often resulting in avoidance behavior and poor oral health outcomes.[1] Adolescents, in particular, are vulnerable to developing dental anxiety due to heightened emotional sensitivity, peer influence, and limited prior exposure to dental environments.[2] The transition period of adolescence is crucial for establishing lifelong oral health habits and attitudes.[3] Several studies have highlighted a strong inverse correlation between dental anxiety and the frequency of dental visits, as well as a positive correlation with untreated caries and gingival issues.[4] A systematic review found | Access this article online | | | --- | --- | | Quick Response Code:
| Website: [https://journals.lww.com/jpbs](https://journals.lww.com/jpbs) | | | DOI: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_1222_25 | that high dental fear was associated with up to threefold increased odds of dental avoidance, reinforcing the need to explore this dynamic in adolescent populations.[5] Despite increased awareness, the prevalence and implications of dental anxiety among adolescents remain underexplored, especially in developing countries where cultural and socio-economic factors influence healthcare utilization. Furthermore, limited studies have investigated the behavioral consequences of dental Address for correspondence: Dr. Balamurugan M, Department of Dental Surgery, Medical College, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India. E‑mail: [drbalabds06@gmail.com](drbalabds06@gm

FAQs

What was the study design and sample size?

A cross-sectional study assessed 400 adolescents aged 13–18 from four secondary schools in an urban area.

How was dental anxiety measured?

Dental anxiety was measured using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), where scores ≥19 indicated high anxiety.

What did the study find about the relationship between dental anxiety and care-seeking?

High dental anxiety was associated with infrequent dental visits, symptom-driven consultations, avoidance due to fear, and a higher likelihood of delaying dental care (3.6 times).

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by SANS