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A study by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), reported in 2010, found that a lack of understanding and fear about general anesthesia has led to as many as 25% of patients postponing necessary surgery. 1 However, the attitude of patients about having general anesthesia specifically for oral surgery procedures has never been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients who need to undergo a general anesthetic for oral surgery have the same apprehension as those needing major surgery. It was hypothesized

Dental care–related fear and anxiety (ie, dental fear) 1 prevent regular dental checkups, which can result in poor oral health and a decreased quality of life. 2 – 6 Many adults with dental fear recall a traumatic experience during their childhood as the origin of their dental fear. 7 , 8 Dentists caring for children play an important role in preventing traumatic dental experiences 9 and should assess dental fear levels before treatment begins. A dental fear questionnaire for children, the Children's Fear Survey Schedule

Individuals with fear of dental treatment (“dental fear”) frequently avoid dental care (“avoidance”) for long periods of time and have a worse oral health–related quality of life than do those without dental fear. 1 – 3 In addition, when individuals with dental fear and avoidance do accept oral examinations, dentists frequently have difficulty performing treatment. Although many studies have investigated dental fear and avoidance, 1 – 6 no studies have examined the background characteristics of the subgroup of patients with severe dental

INTRODUCTION Fear and anxiety of dentistry are common findings. 1–17 Although related, they differ in that fear may be considered the physiological process that occurs in the body when threatened by danger, whereas anxiety is the anticipation of the possibility of danger and is perceived to be less immediate in nature. 18 19 Their presence in dental patients may lead to avoidance of appropriate care and therefore an impairment of their oral health. 1 9 12 20–22 Fear and anxiety in dentistry have been estimated in various

Traditionally, the practice of dentistry has an enduring association with fear and apprehension. These feelings of anxiety continue despite advances in dental techniques. It has been reported that 23 million people with dental fear were more willing to see a dentist if a form of sedation was offered. 1 Consequently, the use of this modality is important in the provision of dental treatment. In fact, a current survey of recent US dental graduates reported that 93.7% perceived a need for sedation services within their respective patient

, affecting health, social life, and work performance. 8–10 Patients suffering from dental anxiety are more likely to cancel appointments or fail to complete courses of treatment. 11 The terms dental fear , anxiety , and phobia can be used interchangeably or combined (eg, dental fear and anxiety ). 7 , 14 , 15 Irrespective of the label used, it is often a persistent condition with complex origins involving various psychological, environmental, and sociodemographic determinants. 4 Weiner and Sheehan 16 identified 2 dental anxiety categories based on their source

instruments to assess behavioral factors in Hispanics. 2 Fear of dentistry poses a significant barrier to receiving dental care, with 5 to 10% of US adults reporting that they have previously avoided seeking dental treatment because of fear. 3 Previous studies of attitudes toward dentistry in multiethnic samples have suggested that individuals of Hispanic descent experience greater dental fear and less dental utilization than do their non-Hispanic white counterparts, coupled with a stronger preference for treatment by Hispanic providers. 4–5 Prior work in Spanish

Intravenous sedation (IVS) is useful for the reduction of psychological stress that could lead to perioperative complications like vasovagal syncope, especially in patients with dental fear. 1 , 2 However, IVS does not reduce anxiety prior to the time it is initiated. One suggested intervention for relieving anxiety during this period is music. 3 Music intervention is a psychological therapy that has many advantages when used in the outpatient setting. 3 , 4 As a bridging intervention, music may enable stress management upon arrival of