Investigation of the Relationship between Dental Fear and Orthodontic Anxiety Levels of Patients Accepted to Orthodontic Treatment; Ortodontik Tedaviye Kabul Edilen Hastaların Dental Korku ve Ortodontik Anksiyete Seviyeleri Arasındaki İlişkinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate dental fear and orthodontic anxiety levels in patients who were admitted to orthodontic clinic for the first time and patients who were accepted for orthodontic treatment. Methods: A total of 200 individuals (132 females, 68 males) between the ages of 11-20 who applied to Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Dentistry Orthodontics Clinic were included in the study. The patients accepted to orthodontic treatment constituted the study group, and the patients who applied to the orthodontics clinic for the first time constituted the control group. The Dental Fear Scale "DFS" (Dental Fear Scale) to determine the dental fear levels of the individuals, and the "ÇAS" (Çapa Anxiety Scale) questionnaires to determine the dental anxiety levels associated with orthodontic treatment were completed. Dental fear and orthodontic anxiety levels of the individuals were evaluated. Descriptive analyzes were used to evaluate the information. The data obtained were analyzed statistically at the 5% significance level. Results: Of the 200 patients included in the study, 132 (66%) were girls and 68 (34%) were male. The average age of female patients is 16.14, while the average age of male patients is 15.6. Average DFS value is 36.6 ± 14.4 and average DFS value is 17.46 ± 7.42. “Dental Fear” and “Orthodontic Anxiety” were found to be higher in individuals in the 11-15 age group compared to the individuals in the 16-20 age group. DFS score averages and ÇAS score averages were found to be higher in individuals who applied for orthodontic treatment for the first time compared to individuals who were accepted to orthodontic treatment. Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that admission to orthodontic treatment decreased the level of dental fear and anxiety and younger individuals felt more dental fear and anxiety towards orthodontic treatment. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.