Effect of Preoperative Patient Education Intervention on Dental Anxiety in Adult Patients Undergoing Surgical Removal of Mandibular third Molar under Local Anesthesia

Abstract

The study evaluated the role of different forms of preoperative patient education intervention (PPEI) on dental anxiety of patients undergoing surgical removal of mandibular third molar tooth. Ninety patients were randomly divided into three groups and received PPEI verbally (Group A), in written format (Group B) and through video demonstration (Group C). A pre-validated questionnaire was used to evaluate anxiety before and after PPEI. Intergroup comparison by Tukey’s post-hoc test showed that the mean difference in change in the anxiety scores between group A (1.1±0.305) and group B (1.033±0.183) was 0.067 (p=0.667). The difference of change in anxiety scores for group A (1.1±0.305) and group C (-1.167±0.379) was 2.267 (p<0.001). The difference in anxiety scores for group B (1.033±0.183) and group C (-1.167±0.379) was 2.200 (p<0.001). PPEI given verbally and in written form reduced the dental anxiety in patients undergoing molar third molar surgery. However, PPEI with video demonstration increased the anxiety levels.