Dental anxieties in Iraq

Abstract EN

Aims : To adopt Dental Fear Questionnaire (DFQ), to the Iraqi population, and to verify the prevalence of dental anxieties in an Iraqi sample.

Methods : 266 people were asked to fill in the Dental fear questionnaire.

107 were dentist visitors and 159 students.

Descriptive statistics; frequencies and percentages were used.

Results : Global complaints of dental fears was found in 176(66 %) i.

e.

mild complaints 131(49 %), 45 (17 %) were severe.

Majority were amongst age group 20-30 year; 184 (69 %).

Females constitute 156(59 %).

179 (68 %) were students and 202 (76 %) were single.

203(76%) asked for treatment.

245(92 %) had previous consultation to dentist.

Psychiatric problems were declared in 18 (7 %).

Family history of dentist problems was verified in 206 (77 %) and 107(40 %) of dental fear.

Previous psychological trauma was found in 26(10%).

Dental fear of; pain was observed in 90 (34 %), Nausea in 36 (14 %) Shock in 17(6 %), Drilling sound in 76 (29 %).

Conclusions : Dental anxieties are important to be considered in dentistry and psychiatric practice.

Further studies are highly recommended to reduce these anxieties.