Dental Anxiety Linked to Poorer Periodontal Health and Irregular Dental Attendance: Study
A new study published in the Journal of Dentistry showed that many individuals in a diverse Asian population experience significant fear of dental visits, which is linked to worse gum health and infrequent dental appointments.
Dental anxiety and fear (DFA) are prevalent psychological obstacles that have a detrimental impact on oral health and the utilization of dental services. Individuals who suffer from dental anxiety often postpone or evade dental appointments, which elevates their vulnerability to periodontal ailments. Apprehension of discomfort, invasive procedures, and past negative encounters with dental care can result in substandard oral hygiene practices and irregular periodontal upkeep. Consequently, untreated periodontal issues can advance, resulting in tooth loss and a diminished quality of life.
Recognizing the connection between dental anxiety and periodontal well-being is crucial for crafting efficient patient-focused interventions. Overcoming these psychological hurdles has the potential to enhance dental attendance, compliance with treatment, and long-lasting periodontal results. This research was carried out to investigate the correlation between DFA with periodontal disease and the utilization of dental services among adults in a diverse Asian community.
Data from a study involving 238 adults who filled out the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear core (IDAF-4C) and stimulus module questionnaires, as well as received complete oral examinations, were analyzed. High DFA was specified as an average IDAF-4C score of 2.5 or higher. Through multivariable regressions, the study investigated the connections between high DFA and indicators of gum health and use of dental services.
In general, 18% of the individuals displayed elevated DFA. Individuals with high DFA were more likely to have irregular dental visits (PR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.89) compared to those with low anxiety levels. They also showed a higher incidence of moderate to severe gum disease (PR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.46) and increased bleeding during probing (%BOP) (mean difference: 11.90%, 95% CI: 3.77, 20.02), even after accounting for other factors.
The primary triggers for anxiety were concerns about treatment expenses and the fear of painful or uncomfortable procedures. Overall, elevated levels of dental anxiety were prevalent among individuals in this diverse Asian community and were linked to inferior gum health and inconsistent dental appointments. These results indicate that dental fear and anxiety could pose a hindrance to receiving timely periodontal treatment.
Source:
Lai, C. W. M., Jie, J. C. R., Seah, F., Lee, M. H., Fu, J.-H., Yip, J. K., Tan, K. S., Toh, S.-A., Preshaw, P. M., & Goh, C. E. (2026). Dental Anxiety and fear: A potential barrier to periodontal health. Journal of Dentistry, (107072), 107072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2026.107072
