Dental Anxiety: The Current Status and Developments

A special issue of Dentistry Journal (ISSN 2304-6767).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 427

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
Interests: oral health; dental anxiety

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
Interests: dentistry; dental anxiety; odontological behavioural science

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Dental care-related anxiety: Where do we stand today with regard to public dentistry and public health, measurement methods, diagnostic issues and comorbidities, treatment modalities and outcomes, financial issues/insurance and cost, and interdisciplinary issues?

Dental care-related anxiety is a prevalent condition among children, adolescents and adults. Its prevalence worldwide is typically reported to be around 10%, in spite of the use of evidence-based treatments, as have been detailed in systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Thus, it is a public health issue, one at the crossroads of dentistry and psychology, which brings both opportunities for collaboration between these scientific fields, but also difficulties in working across the boundaries of each field. Much of these difficulties arise from conservatism and protectionism; some also arise from financial and insurance issues. We believe it is time to further discuss and explore dental care-related anxiety with the purpose of investigate these issues while expanding our knowledge and collaborative possibilities in treating dental care-related anxiety.

Manuscripts addressing the topics outlined above are welcome for this Special Issue of Dentistry. Clinical trials and observational studies adhering to adequate designs and methods are invited; different types of reviews such as narrative, scoping and systematic reviews, are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Magnus Hakeberg
Prof. Dr. Ulla Wide
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • oral health
  • dental anxiety
  • public dentistry
  • dental care

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

11 pages, 712 KB  
Article
Assessment of Anxiety and Local Anesthesia Experiences in Dental Students Using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS)
by Emilia Bologa, Andra Claudia Tărăboanță-Gamen, Ionuț Tărăboanță, Otilia Boișteanu, Alexandra-Lorina Platon, Șerban-Ovidiu Stelea, Ana-Maria Andreea Simionescu, Anca Irina Grădinariu, Alina Jehac, Cristina Bologa and Carmen Gabriela Stelea
Dent. J. 2025, 13(10), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13100445 - 28 Sep 2025
Viewed by 280
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Dental anxiety can hinder both treatment delivery and dental education. Few studies have examined this issue among Romanian dental students. This study assessed the prevalence, intensity, and main procedural triggers of dental anxiety, with a focus on experiences related [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Dental anxiety can hinder both treatment delivery and dental education. Few studies have examined this issue among Romanian dental students. This study assessed the prevalence, intensity, and main procedural triggers of dental anxiety, with a focus on experiences related to local anesthesia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted (January–May 2024) among 122 fourth-year students using the validated Romanian version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and additional items on demographics, prior anesthesia and perceived complications. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and t-tests. Results: Overall, 21.3% of respondents scored in the low anxiety range, 75.4% in the moderate range, and 3.3% in the severe range (MDAS ≥ 19). No significant gender differences were identified (p > 0.05). Injections with local anesthetic were rated as the most distressing procedure, followed by drilling, whereas scaling was reported as least stressful. The majority (86.9%) had undergone previous local anesthesia, with very few adverse events recalled. Conclusions: Romanian dental students reported moderate dental anxiety overall, with local anesthesia injections as the main trigger. The lack of gender differences points to a potential buffering effect of clinical exposure. Incorporating structured anxiety management into dental curricula may enhance both student well-being and patient care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Anxiety: The Current Status and Developments)
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