EVALUATION OF PATIENT EXPERIENCE AND TREATMENT-RELATED ANXIETY DURING ENDODONTIC AND SURGICAL PROCEDURES IN DENTAL TEACHING INSTITUTIONS OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA
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Keywords
Dental anxiety, endodontic procedures, oral surgery and patient experience
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate and compare patient experience and treatment-related anxiety among individuals undergoing endodontic and surgical procedures in dental teaching institutions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted from January to May 2025 in three dental teaching institutions. A total of 150 adult patients were enrolled, equally divided between endodontic (n=75) and surgical (n=75) groups. Pre-treatment anxiety was measured using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and a visual analogue scale (VAS), while post-treatment experience was assessed through a structured satisfaction questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlation, with p<0.05 considered significant.
Results: The mean MDAS score indicated moderate anxiety (15.8 ± 4.6), with significantly higher anxiety in surgical patients (17.1 ± 4.3) compared to endodontic patients (14.5 ± 4.5; p=0.001). Mean satisfaction scores were higher in the endodontic group (29.6 ± 3.2) than in the surgical group (27.1 ± 3.9; p=0.002). Anxiety and satisfaction were inversely correlated (r = –0.41, p<0.001). Preoperative anxiety significantly predicted postoperative pain intensity (β = 0.37, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Surgical dental procedures were associated with greater anxiety and lower satisfaction compared with endodontic treatments. The findings highlight the importance of enhancing patient communication, anxiety management, and pain control strategies within dental teaching institutions to improve patient-centered care and overall experience.
References
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Dr. Sadia Javed
Assistant Professor, Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Shahida Islam Dental College, Lodhran, Pakistan
Dr. Muhammad Naeem
Associate Professor Community Dentistry Bacha Khan Dental College, Mardan, Pakistan
Dr. Aliya Khan
Assistant Professor, Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Pakistan
Dr. Azam Shahzad
Assistant Professor and HOD Dental Materials Department, Shahida Islam Dental College, Lodhran, Pakistan
Dr. Sajjad Ali Darvesh
Associate Professor and Head of Operative and Endodontics Department, Shahidah Islam Medical and Dental College, Lodhran, Pakistan
Dr. Akif Mahmud
Assistant Professor, Dept of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Women Dental College Abbottabad, Lodhran, Pakistan