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Journals / SDÜ Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 33 Sayı: 2

COVID-19 Phobia and Dental Anxiety Among Patients Applying to a University Faculty of Dentistry During The Pandemic Period

Simge Kaplan Yatğın0000-0002-9283-2992
Mine Öztürk Tonguç(SÜLEYMAN DEMİREL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, DİŞ HEKİMLİĞİ FAKÜLTESİ, KLİNİK BİLİMLER BÖLÜMÜ, PERİODONTOLOJİ ANABİLİM DALI)0000-0003-0586-0459
Ersin Uskun(SÜLEYMAN DEMİREL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, TIP FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0001-6446-0186
İrem Tosun Balcı(Süleyman Demirel üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi)0000-0002-8385-9309
Pages
122–135
Publication Date
2026-06-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Taking such factors into account during clinical evaluations may contribute to a better understanding of patients’ approaches to seeking dental care.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Objective This study examined the sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, oral health perspectives, and dental service utilization of individuals who applied to a university faculty of dentistry during the controlled normalization period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Türkiye.
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Key Findings & Data:COVID-19 phobia and dental anxiety levels were assessed, and the relationship between these two constructs was evaluated.
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Conclusion & Impact:Taking such factors into account during clinical evaluations may contribute to a better understanding of patients’ approaches to seeking dental care.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2021 Verileri
⚙️Variables:COVID-19 · Dental Anxiety · Dental Health Services/utilization

Abstract

Objective This study examined the sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, oral health perspectives, and dental service utilization of individuals who applied to a university faculty of dentistry during the controlled normalization period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Türkiye. COVID-19 phobia and dental anxiety levels were assessed, and the relationship between these two constructs was evaluated. Material and Method This study was carried out with 390 individuals who applied to a university faculty of dentistry for any reason between January 3 and March 31, 2021, a period corresponding to the controlled normalization phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey during which dental services were delivered under strict infection control measures. In addition to sociodemographic data, participants’ health-related behaviors; perspectives on oral and dental health; and contact, infection, and quarantine status during the pandemic were recorded. The Coronavirus Phobia Scale (C19P-S) was used to assess COVID-19 phobia, and the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) to evaluate dental anxiety. Data were analyzed using a statistical software package. Results COVID-19 phobia was higher in women (p < 0.001), in individuals with chronic diseases (p < 0.05), and in those without a history of COVID-19 infection (p < 0.01). Individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 showed lower phobia scores (p < 0.01). Dental anxiety was higher in women (p < 0.001) and showed a weak but significant positive correlation with COVID-19 phobia (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). Conclusion The weak but significant association between COVID-19 phobia and dental anxiety suggests that these psychological factors may be present together in some individuals. Taking such factors into account during clinical evaluations may contribute to a better understanding of patients’ approaches to seeking dental care.

Özet

Objective This study examined the sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, oral health perspectives, and dental service utilization of individuals who applied to a university faculty of dentistry during the controlled normalization period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Türkiye. COVID-19 phobia and dental anxiety levels were assessed, and the relationship between these two constructs was evaluated. Material and Method This study was carried out with 390 individuals who applied to a university faculty of dentistry for any reason between January 3 and March 31, 2021, a period corresponding to the controlled normalization phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey during which dental services were delivered under strict infection control measures. In addition to sociodemographic data, participants’ health-related behaviors; perspectives on oral and dental health; and contact, infection, and quarantine status during the pandemic were recorded. The Coronavirus Phobia Scale (C19P-S) was used to assess COVID-19 phobia, and the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) to evaluate dental anxiety. Data were analyzed using a statistical software package. Results COVID-19 phobia was higher in women (p < 0.001), in individuals with chronic diseases (p < 0.05), and in those without a history of COVID-19 infection (p < 0.01). Individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 showed lower phobia scores (p < 0.01). Dental anxiety was higher in women (p < 0.001) and showed a weak but significant positive correlation with COVID-19 phobia (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). Conclusion The weak but significant association between COVID-19 phobia and dental anxiety suggests that these psychological factors may be present together in some individuals. Taking such factors into account during clinical evaluations may contribute to a better understanding of patients’ approaches to seeking dental care.

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Cite This Article

Yatğın, S. K., Tonguç, M. Ö., Uskun, E., Balcı, İ. T. (2026). COVID-19 Phobia and Dental Anxiety Among Patients Applying to a University Faculty of Dentistry During The Pandemic Period. SDÜ Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 33 Sayı: 2, 122–135. https://doi.org/10.17343/sdutfd.1671786

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