Hasan Ali Öztaş* and Gökhan Hakkı Alpaslan

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

*Corresponding Author: Hasan Ali ÖZTAŞ, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.

Received: March 04, 2025; Published: March 18, 2025

Abstract

Objective: Dental anxiety is a significant concern that affects patient compliance and overall treatment outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the impact of visual and verbal information on dental anxiety in patients undergoing impacted mandibular third molar surgery. By comparing these two information delivery methods, the study seeks to determine whether one approach is more effective in reducing anxiety levels and improving patient experience.

Methods: A total of 73 patients requiring third molar extraction participated in this study. They were randomly assigned into two groups: an experimental group (n = 37) receiving video-based information and a control group (n = 36) receiving verbal information. Anxiety levels were measured preoperatively and postoperatively using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S, STAI-T). The video-based information provided a step-by-step visual guide of the surgical procedure, while the verbal information was delivered directly by the clinician. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 24, employing t-tests and ANOVA to assess the effectiveness of both methods.

Results: The results indicated no statistically significant difference in anxiety reduction between the two groups (p > 0.05). While both video-based and verbal information contributed to lowering anxiety levels, neither method proved to be significantly superior. Video-based education enhanced comprehension and procedural awareness, while verbal communication allowed for interactive clarification of patient concerns. The findings suggest that individual differences in learning styles may influence the effectiveness of anxiety reduction strategies.

Conclusion: Both visual and verbal information methods can be beneficial in reducing dental anxiety among patients undergoing third molar surgery. However, the choice of the most effective method should be tailored to individual patient preferences. Future research should explore the integration of multimodal educational strategies, including interactive and personalized approaches, to enhance patient understanding and anxiety management.

Keywords: Dental Anxiety; Third Molar Surgery; Visual Information; Verbal Information; Patient Education; Anxiety Management; Multimodal Strategies

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Citation

Citation: Hasan Ali Öztaş and Gökhan Hakkı Alpaslan. “Effect of Visual and Verbal Information on Dental Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Impacted Mandibular 3rd Molar Surgery". Acta Scientific Dental Sciences 9.4 (2025): 55-61.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Hasan Ali Öztaş and Gökhan Hakkı Alpaslan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.