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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental anxiety among patients attending Dental Outpatient Department at OJHA campus of Dow University of Health Sciences(DUHS). METHODOLOGY: This study was conducted in oral diagnosis department of DUHS (OJHA Campus) for the tenure of six months .A total of 100 patients were included in thiscross sectional study according to two age groups.First group was between 18-30 years (n=74) and second group was >30 years (n=26).Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire based on two scales - Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Dental Fear Survey (DFS). RESULTS: The descriptive statistical analysis was engaged along with frequencies and percentages. The results showed that female participants scored higher dental anxiety (54.6%) compared to male patients (45.3%).Tooth pull attributed highest dental anxiety (71.80%) in Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and the Dental Fear Survey reveals that an increase heart rate is a highest outcome of dental anxiety(39.60%). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was entered in statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 20) and all quantitative and qualitative variables were analyzed by using the software. Chi square test was applied to observe the association of age and gender with tobacco and betal nut chewing by observing the expression of survivin. CONCLUSION: Female patients reported more dental anxiety thanmale patients and most fearful procedure as perceived by the respondents was tooth extraction. KEY WORDS: Dental anxiety, Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, Dental Fear Survey, Tooth Pull.