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

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.

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.

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-ups in 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.

Dental anxiety significantly impairs oral health-seeking behavior in adolescents. Early identification and psychological interventions may promote regular dental visits and improve overall oral health outcomes in this age group.