Dental fear among a young adult Saudian population

Aims: To assess the prevalence of dental fear and reasons for irregular den tal attendance among young adult university students; to describe the gende r distribution of the dentally anxious population according to the perceive d origins or sources of fear; to identify the time of fear development and preference for anaesthesia or sedation before dental treatment. Method: A q uestionnaire incorporating the Dental Fear Scale (DFS) with items related t o sources of dental fear stimuli, together with the preference of anaesthes ia or sedation before dental treatment and other characteristics. Approxima tely 500 questionnaires were distributed among Saudian undergraduate studen ts. Results: 368 questionnaires were completed and presented for statistica l analysis. The sight and sensation of anaesthetic needles and the sight, s ound and sensation of the drill were rated the most fear-eliciting stimuli. Also, females tended to be more anxious than males. Increased heart rate w as the most common reported physiological response to fear resulting from d ental treatment. The overall level of fear of dental work among the studied population was found to be about 39%. 'Lack of time' and 'no need for trea tment' were found to be the main reasons for irregular dental visits. Fear of pain and trauma were the major perceived sources of reported fear reacti ons and were developed mainly during childhood. About 63% of the subjects p referred to have local anaesthesia before dental treatment to prevent or am eliorate dental fear.