Dentistry Journal · Published 2026-07-14 · DOI 10.3390/dj14070438
Laurențiu Drăguș, Magdalena Rusu-Negraia, Simona-Dana Mitincu-Caramfil, Cătălina-Andreea Florea, Ionela-Violeta Ragea, Valeriu Ardeleanu, Ramona-Oana Roșca, Rares Nicolae Vadana, Marius Moroianu
<b>Background:</b> Dental anxiety constitutes a prevalent barrier to oral healthcare utilization, yet patient-centered data on its prevalence, symptom profile, and preferred management strategies remain scarce in Romanian adult populations. <b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to assess the prevalence and demographic correlates of self-reported dental anxiety, identify the most anxiety-provoking procedures, evaluate the perceived efficacy of anxiety-reduction strategies, and characterize patient preferences for improved anxiety management in the dental setting. <b>Methods:</b> A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an anonymous 18-item online questionnaire (Google Forms) among 223 Romanian adults (≥18 years), recruited via convenience sampling between May and June 2025. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact test, Cramér’s V, and ordinal logistic regression (proportional odds model) were applied (Python 3.11; pandas, scipy, statsmodels). <b>Results:</b> Any degree of self-reported pre-procedural anxiety was endorsed by 60.5% of respondents, with 11.7% reporting moderate-to-severe levels. In the fully adjusted multivariable model (Model 2), female sex (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.04–3.14, <i>p</i> = 0.037) and chronic medical conditions (OR = 3.84, 95% CI: 1.21–12.20, <i>p</i> = 0.022) were independent predictors of higher anxiety severity, although the chronic disease estimate was based on a small subgroup (<i>n</i> = 13) and its wide confidence interval indicates limited precision. Tooth extractions (49.8%) and periodontal surgery (39.5%) were the most anxiety-provoking procedures. Despite this high prevalence of self-reported anxiety, 66.4% of participants had never employed any coping strategy. Detailed procedural explanations provided by the clinician were consistently identified as the dominant patient-preferred intervention across four independent survey items (endorsed by 24.7–77.6% of respondents). A highly significant association was observed between anxiety status and perceived inadequacy of staff anxiety management (χ<sup>2</sup> = 22.406, <i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions:</b> Self-reported dental anxiety affects the majority of this Romanian adult sample, with communication-based strategies representing the primary patient-centered priority. These findings support integrating structured communication training and standardized anxiety screening into routine dental practice.
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Drăguș, L., Rusu-Negraia, M., Mitincu-Caramfil, S., et al. (2026). Dental Anxiety Prevalence, Correlates, and Patient-Preferred Management Strategies in Romanian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Dentistry Journal. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14070438