THE IMPACT OF DENTAL FEAR ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS DURING DENTAL TREATMENT
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate dental fear and its impact on heart rate and blood pressure during ultrasonic scaling.
Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 90 patients undergoing ultrasonic scaling at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Dental Clinic, Ho Chi Minh City from September 2024 to February 2025. Dental fear was assessed using the Vietnamese version of the Dental Fear Survey (V-DFS). Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded at three time points: waiting room (t1), before treatment (t2), and 15 minutes after treatment (t3). Statistical analysis was performed using JASP software for Windows. Results: The prevalence of dental fear was 31.1%, including 21.1% with mild fear and 10% with high fear. Heart rate in the high-fear group was significantly higher than in other groups at all time points (p < 0,05). Heart rate increased before treatment and decreased after 15 minutes of treatment (p < 0,01). Blood pressure tended to increase before treatment and decrease during treatment, with no significant differences between fear levels.
Conclusions: Dental fear significantly affects heart rate during ultrasonic scaling, especially in highly fearful patients.
Keywords
dental fear, heart rate, blood pressure, ultrasonic scaling
Article Details
References
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