Dental anxiety in the general population is more prevalent in females than in males.  The presence of dental anxiety was studied in a group of 189 females and 176 males using the following scales: the Dental Anxiety Scale (divided into DAS 1 containing 6 items, which explores a patient’s dental anxiety and DAS 2 containing 13 items, which looks at dental anxiety concerning dentist-patient relations), the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the Quality of Life Index (QL-Index).  The results obtained showed significant differences only in relation to dental anxiety regarding the use of instruments (such as needles and handpieces) and the tilted-back position of the chair (DAS 1).  No significant gender differences emerged between the two groups in relation to dental anxiety regarding dentist-patient relations (DAS 2), depression (SDS), and the quality of life (QL-Index).  The results may explain why women avoid dental care and indicate new designs to make the chair position more comfortable would be useful.

Keywords: Dental anxiety, gender difference, dental chair, dental stimuli

Citation:  Settineri S, Tatì F, Fanara G.  Gender Differences in Dental Anxiety: Is the Chair Position Important?  J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 February;(6)1:115-122.