Association of Dental Anxiety with Personality Traits among Engineering Students in Chennai City: A Questionnaire Study

Abstract

Introduction: Dental anxiety, a common psychological condition, significantly impacts individuals’ oral health-seeking behaviors and overall dental care. It is influenced by various factors, including personality traits, which determine how individuals perceive and respond to anxiety-inducing situations. Engineering students, often under academic stress, may exhibit unique patterns of dental anxiety linked to their personality profiles. This study aims to investigate the association between dental anxiety and personality traits among engineering students in Chennai city using a structured questionnaire. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among engineering students from various colleges in Chennai city between June and August 2024. A total of 400 students aged 18–25 years were selected using stratified random sampling to ensure representation across academic years. Results: 21.4% of participants had high dental anxiety (MDAS > 15). Discussion: The findings indicate that personality traits, particularly neuroticism and introversion, significantly influence dental anxiety among engineering students. Neurotic individuals are prone to overthinking and experiencing heightened emotional reactions to stressful situation. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant association between dental anxiety and personality traits among engineering students in Chennai city. Neuroticism and introversion were strongly correlated with higher dental anxiety levels.