Assessing Dental Anxiety and Practice-Related Cognition in Applicants to Ataturk University's Faculty of Dentistry Atatürk Üniversitesi Diş Hekimliği Fakültesi Başvuranlarında Diş Kaygısı ve Uygulamayla İlişkili Bilişsel Yeteneklerin Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: This study aimed to examine the cognitive characteristics of patients and their relationship with dental anxiety using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and the Dental Cognitions Questionnaire (DCQ). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 85 patients (43 men, 42 women) from the Periodontics Department at Ataturk University. The MDAS and DCQ were administered to assess dental anxiety and negative cognitions. Statistical analysis was performed to compare cognitive patterns and anxiety levels across gender and anxiety severity. Results: The study found significant gender differences in negative cognitions, with men exhibiting higher mean DCQ-B scores (46.41) compared to women (33.04). Additionally, individuals with moderate anxiety displayed significantly higher DCQ-F scores (P<.05) than those with low anxiety. No significant correlation was found between MDAS and DCQ-B scores. Conclusion: The results support the hypothesis that negative cognitions are associated with dental anxiety, with significant gender differences in cognitive patterns. These findings suggest that cognitive approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), could be particularly effective in reducing dental anxiety by addressing these maladaptive thought patterns.