Triggers and Relievers of Dental Anxiety: Comparative Analysis of Patient Perceptions in Private and Public Dental Settings

Background: Dental anxiety is a prevalent issue that affects a significant portion of the population, leading to avoidance of dental care. The study aimed to identify and compare the self-perceived triggering and relieving factors of dental anxiety among patients of private and public dental institutes in Punjab. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between Dec 2021 and Oct 2022, on a sample of 711 physically and mentally healthy patients reporting to three private and two public dental hospitals in Punjab with a score of 11 and above on MDAS, using consecutive sampling. The former section of the questionnaire included demographics, while the latter part focused on self-reported triggers and relieving factors of dental anxiety. The data was analyzed using SPSS, and compared using the chi-square test. A p-value of ≤0.05 was taken as significant. Results: The study included 51.3% females (n=365) and 48.7% males (n=346). Dirty instruments were a major trigger (67.1%, n=477, p=0.001), followed by stressful waiting rooms (54.4%, n=387, p=0.007) and complex procedures (49.2%, n=350, p=0.001) in public hospitals. Delayed appointments were a common trigger (41.1%, n=292) in both settings. Reassurance from the dentist (68.5%, n=487, p=0.087) and minimal waiting times (64.8%, n=461, p=0.012) were key relieving factors in both settings. Conclusion: Dental anxiety triggers were more frequent in public settings, including dirty instruments, stressful waiting room environments, and complex procedures. In contrast, private settings showed fewer triggers. However, both public and private patients valued reassurance from the dentist and minimal waiting times as major relieving factors.