The evaluate of the anxiety of dental students’ facing dental treatments

Abstract

Introduction: When the anxiety occurs in the face of dental treatments it is defined as dental anxiety, which may affect different individuals’ profiles, including dentistry students. Objectives: To evaluate dental students' anxiety and their perception facing dental treatment. Method: This is an observational and cross-sectional study approved by the ethics and research committee, involving 214 students from the Dentistry program at the Federal University of Sergipe, in Brazil. It was conducted using the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale questionnaire. Results: The volunteers demonstrated a lower level of anxiety regardless of age, sex, and college period. The moment that caused most anxiety in students was one day prior to the dental procedure, and invasive procedures, such as oral surgery and endodontics, caused greater anxiety for students. Final considerations: Dentistry's students may also be anxious about procedures that they are often able to perform. Self-assessment of the degree of anxiety can develop empathy, tranquility, and security during dental care.