Oral Health Status and Dental Anxiety in Psychiatric Patients

Aim: Dental anxiety is an anxiety state arising from dental treatment procedures, often associated with negative experiences and expectations, leading to avoidance of dental visits and poorer oral health. This study aims to determine the prevalence of dental anxiety among patients with depression and alcohol addiction using a validated dental anxiety questionnaire, compare these two groups, and assess whether dental anxiety is associated with sociodemographic characteristics. Subjects and Methods: A total of 65 patients treated at the University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice participated in the study. The participants were divided into two groups: 31 patients diagnosed with depression and 34 patients diagnosed with alcohol addiction, without comorbidities. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire and Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) applied. Results: Dental anxiety was found in 40 (61.5 %) participants. It was more prevalent among patients with depression (26/31; 83.9 %) compared to those with alcohol addiction (14/34; 41.2 %). A significant difference was observed between the two groups (t = 3.437, p < 0.01). No significant association was found between sociodemographic characteristics and dental anxiety. Conclusion: The findings indicate a higher prevalence of dental anxiety in psychiatric patients, particularly among those with depression. These results highlight the need for better education of dental professionals to improve their approach to psychiatric patients, recognize dental anxiety, and reduce stigma. Addressing this issue may help prevent dental avoidance and improve oral health outcomes in these vulnerable populations.