Recognition of Dental Anesthesiology in Japan : Use of an Internet Survey to Assess the Current Status of Dental Fear

Abstract

  Dental treatment under sedation or general anesthesia (GA) is often performed for patients with dental fear ; however, the demand for sedation or GA in dentistry in Japan remains unclear. The aim of this study was to reveal the prevalence of severe dental fear, the degree of recognition, and the demand for dental anesthesiology among the general population in Japan. A total of 400 Internet-monitors were included in this study. Dental fear was measured using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). In addition, data collection included questions regarding the recognition of technical terms, the demand for dental treatment under general anesthesia or sedation, other factors related to dental fear, and socioeconomic status. The statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and inference testing using the χ² test (with Yate’s continuity correction), the Mann-Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and logistic regression. The estimated proportion of participants with severe dental fear (MDAS≧19) was 11.3%. Over 40% of the participants did not recognize the terms “dental anesthesiologist”, “inhalation sedation,” or “intravenous sedation” ; however, 14.3% and 44.0% of the participants were interested in dental treatment under general anesthesia and sedation, respectively. A statistically significant relationship between the demand for dental treatment under GA and sedation was observed when the analysis was controlled for socioeconomic status. This internet-survey showed that dental fear was common in Japan, as it is in other countries, and that the degree of recognition of dental anesthesiology was relatively low. To inform potential patients with severe dental fear of the possibility of dental treatment under sedation or GA, educational campaigns for dental anesthesiology are needed.