LITERATURE REVIEW: PATIENT ANXIETY ABOUT ORAL SURGERY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively review the scientific literature on patient anxiety related to oral surgery, identify contributing factors, and examine its implications for clinical practice. Method: A narrative literature review was conducted by analyzing peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2024, retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. Results: The findings indicate that key factors contributing to patient anxiety include previous negative dental experiences, fear of pain, and inadequate understanding of surgical procedures. Poorly managed anxiety was consistently associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and reduced patient compliance with postoperative instructions. Effective anxiety management strategies include preoperative education, effective communication, relaxation techniques, pharmacological sedation, and the use of emerging technologies such as virtual reality. Novelty: This review emphasizes the importance of systematic anxiety screening and the application of appropriate management strategies in oral surgery practice, providing new insights into specific interventions like virtual reality to reduce anxiety.