Generational Differences in Dental Anxiety and Associated Demographic Factors; A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Dental anxiety remains a significant concern across various age groups. Differences in generational demographics may influence the prevalence of dental anxiety. This study investigated the relationship between dental anxiety, generational differences, and various demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 273 patients across four generational groups (Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z) at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey. The study was conducted in Turkish and utilized internationally validated measurement instruments. Dental anxiety, oral health-related quality of life (OHIP), and decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) data were assessed using MDAS, OHIP-14, and dental records, respectively. Results: No significant correlation between dental anxiety and generation was found (F=0.16, p=0.92). While females exhibited higher MDAS scores than males (female M=11, SD=5.06; male M=9.83, SD=4.71), the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.05). Education level did not show a significant impact on dental anxiety (p=0.22). There was no significant association between MDAS and age (r=0.02, p=0.70) nor between OHIP and age (r=0.07, p=0.23). However, there was a significant positive association between DMFT and Age (r=0.51, p