DENTAL TREATMENT NEEDS AND ANXIETY IN BRAZILIAN ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the relationship between the need for dental treatment due to dental caries and anxiety levels in adolescents. Method: this cross-sectional study examined 89 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years. Those responsible for the adolescent signed an informed consent form for the inclusion of adolescent in the study. Dental anxiety was estimated using the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS). Data were collected and analyzed by SPSS, using descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square test. Results: 1 adolescent (1.1%) did not present anxiety (DAS = 0); 40 adolescents (44.9%) had low levels (DAS = 5-9), 39 (43.8%) moderate levels (DAS = 10-15) and 9 (10.1%) high levels (DAS = 16- 20). The girls presented higher levels of anxiety than the boys        (p= 0.04). The mean CPO-d was 2.69. 39 adolescents (43.8%) presented dental treatment needs. The relationship between the need for dental treatment and anxiety was statistically significant (p= 0.003). More adolescents with treatment needs were observed in moderate and high anxiety levels (28.1%). Additionally, the need for dental treatment due to caries was significantly higher among adolescents with higher levels of dental anxiety than those with lower anxiety levels (p= 0.001). Conclusion: there was a statistically significant relationship between the need for dental treatment and anxiety. Female adolescents had higher levels of anxiety.