Patients’ situational anxiety across stages and types of orthodontic treatment

Objective. The aim the studi. The study levels of situational anxiety of orthodontic patients depending on type and stage of treatment. Material and methods. Altogether, 162 consequent patients aged 14—25 years with various dental anomalies filled out a questionnaire with Spielberger test (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). The questionnaires were administered to at different stages of treatment at the Arkhangelsk Children’s Dental Polyclinic and the private dental clinic “Niks Trading”. Bivariate associations were studied using one-way analysis of variance. Independent associations between the level of situational anxiety and type and stage of treatment was assessed using multivariable linear regression analysis adjusted for the level of personal anxiety, gender and age of the patient. Results and discussion. The mean score on situational anxiety was 42.4 (95% CI: 41.2—43.6) points corresponding to the average level. Only 4.3% (n=7) of the patients scored low on situational anxiety, while 34% (n=55) scored high on situations anxiety. The average score on personal anxiety was 43.5 (95% CI: 42.2—44.8). The corresponding proportions for low and high levels of personal anxiety were 6.2% (n=10) and 39.5% (n=64). Adolescents had higher scores on situational anxiety (p=0.048), and patients aged 21—25 years have a higher level of personal anxiety (p=0.004). No associations between situational anxiety and either stage or type of treatment were observed in multivariable analysis. The level of situational anxiety was significantly associated with the level of personal anxiety (p<0.001). Conclusion. More than a half of the patient had average level of situational anxiety during orthodontic treatment. Due to the higher situational anxiety in the group of adolescents, it is necessary to treat such patients more carefully. Orthodontic treatment with the use of braces or removable devices is not associated with increased situational anxiety.