Prevalence of Dental Anxiety and Phobia among Saudi Arabian Patients: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Survey by Dental Assistants.

Introduction: Fear of dental care is a common problem that may affect patients' oral health and attitude toward dental treatment. Various dental specialities may be perceived differently in terms of fear that individuals may experience, with implications for patient care and experience. This study investigated patient perspectives on dental fear from a range of dental disciplines, in order to yield new ideas on etiology and possible preventive measures. Methodology: A convergent mixed-methods research design was used to integrate a quantitative survey with qualitative interviews. It included patients referred from different dental disciplines, such as oral surgery, restorative dentistry, and paediatric dentistry. Dental anxiety and experiences and readings on the subject formed the study material. Data were examined using quantitative statistics and thematic analysis. Results: The findings demonstrated that the degree of dental fear differed considerably between the professions. The greatest anxiety was accompanied by the surgery, especially extractions. Most precipitants were psychological, such as prior traumatic experience and fear of pain. Environmental elements such as the clinic ambience were also associated with levels of fear. These results illustrate the nuanced nature of dental anxiety as well as its specialty-specific aspect. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for specialty-specific strategies to manage dental anxiety. Tailored interventions, including patient education and modified clinical environments, can reduce anxiety and improve patient care. Further research into the psychological aspects of dental fear and the development of effective coping mechanisms is recommended.