Dental anxiety in COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the attitudes of patients towards periodontal treatments, their anxiety levels, and awareness during the coronavirus pandemic. Methodology: Patients who applied to the periodontology department took the questionnaire. They were asked to answer questions online and anonymously, which includes questions about anxiety, willingness to participate in the treatment, and whether the coronavirus poses an increased risk with periodontal treatments. Descriptive statistics were made with percentages. The chi-square test was used for gender relations, age groups, anxiety levels, and willingness to participate in the treatment. Results: 468 patients (179 males; 289 females) participated in the questionnaire. Of the individuals participating in the study, 38.5% considered themselves calm, 36.5% anxious, and 25% panic. Female anxiety levels were statistically higher than that of men (p<0.05). The study results show that the level of education also contributes to the level of anxiety and that the individuals participating in the study are unwilling to receive periodontal treatment, except for a dental emergency. During the pandemic, the findings show that age and education levels are important factors about the coronavirus transmission by periodontal treatment. Conclusion: The study results show that coronavirus pandemic has an effect on the anxiety level of individuals. However, they also show that the level of anxiety has subsided compared to the previous studies as the patients have gained knowledge about how to live with the pandemic, health authorities have successfully controlled the pandemic and have kept the vaccination studies ongoing. However, it was reported that they were reluctant to receive periodontal treatment and want to delay the treatment. It was stated that it may be a result of the fact that periodontal diseases are relatively painless. In addition, young people use mass media more effectively, which is why they think that periodontal diseases increase the risk of coronavirus more than older individual