Analysis of influencing factors for preoperative dental anxiety in patients undergoing dental implant surgery
10.12016/j.issn.2096-1456.202660172
- Author:
WANG Liqiong
1
;
ZHAO Qing
1
;
ZHANG Hui
1
;
ZHOU Yulan
1
;
HE Jing
1
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral Implantology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
dental anxiety;
dental implantation;
influencing factors;
modified dental anxiety scale;
pain;
fear;
preoperative intervention
- From:
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases
2026;34(10):1001-1008
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate and analyze the influencing factors and intervention strategy preferences of preoperative dental anxiety in patients undergoing oral implant surgery, and to provide a basis for the clinical formulation and implementation of targeted interventions.
Methods:This study was approved by the Hospital Medical Ethics Committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Using convenience sampling, a cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to October 2025 among 210 patients in the Department of Implantology of a tertiary dental hospital. All participants had been clinically diagnosed and were scheduled to undergo oral implant surgery on the day of the survey. The survey was conducted using a General Information Questionnaire, the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and an Anxiety Cause Questionnaire. The General Information Questionnaire collected data on patients’ gender, age, presence of systemic diseases, dental treatment history, number of implants, whether bone augmentation was required. The MDAS was used to assess patients’ dental anxiety levels via MDAS scores, with a score ≥ 12 defined as dental anxiety. The Anxiety Cause Questionnaire covered the following items: fear of pain, concern that the instruments might cause permanent damage to their teeth, concern about the dentist’s technique and inability to achieve ideal results, fear of local anesthesia, concern about cross-infection, financial pressure, exposure to an unfamiliar environment and strangers, and previous unpleasant dental experiences. The MDAS scores of the items in the Anxiety Cause Questionnaire and General Information Questionnaire were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis H test for univariate analysis, and factors with statistical significance in the univariate analysis were further analyzed using binary logistic regression for multivariate analysis. An Intervention Strategy Preference Questionnaire was used to survey patients’ preferences for the following interventions: understanding the surgical procedure, verbal reassurance from medical staff, distraction methods such as listening to music or using stress balls, staying in a physically and mentally relaxing environment, and others.
Results:The average preoperative MDAS score of patients undergoing oral implant surgery was 10.91 ± 3.40, and the incidence of dental anxiety (MDAS ≥ 12) was 34.8% (73/210). Univariate analysis showed that female patients, patients aged < 45 years, had significantly higher MDAS scores (P < 0.05). Patients who selected “fear of pain” (79.0%), “fear of local anesthesia” (21.0%), and “exposure to an unfamiliar environment and strangers” (4.8%) as causes of their anxiety had higher MDAS scores than those who did not select these items (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patient's age (OR = 0.420), fear of pain (OR = 4.234), and exposure to an unfamiliar environment and strangers (OR = 8.220) were independent influencing factors of preoperative dental anxiety in patients undergoing oral implant surgery (P < 0.05). The Intervention Strategy Preference Questionnaire showed that “verbal reassurance from medical staff” (45.2%), “distraction” (43.3%), and “understanding the surgical procedure” (39.5%) were the most preferred intervention strategies among patients.
Conclusions:Preoperative dental anxiety is common among some patients undergoing oral implant surgery, particularly young and middle-aged patients, those treated by less experienced physicians, and those experiencing anxiety due to a fear of pain or exposure to an unfamiliar environment and strangers. Clinical attention should focus on these patient populations, and systematic preoperative education and psychological counseling should be provided accordingly.
- Full text:202609301047469958口腔种植手术患者术前牙科焦虑症影响因素分析.pdf
