Relationship between trait anxiety, dental anxiety and DMFT indexes of Turkish patients attending a dental school clinic.

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study were to evaluate possible relationships between trait anxiety, dental anxiety and the total number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index of patients attending a dental school clinic. A sample of 558 patients was surveyed with the Turkish version of the Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory and Dental Anxiety Scale. DMFT index was calculated by clinical and radiographic examination. A significant linear correlation was observed between trait and dental anxiety, but there was no correlation between DMFT index, trait anxiety and dental anxiety. Trait anxiety has an impact on dental anxiety, but does not affect the DMFT index.