Dental Anxiety and Oral Health in American Indian and Alaska Natives

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Publisher

Wiley

Source Publication

Journal of Public Health Dentistry

Source ISSN

0022-4006

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1111/jphd.12633

Abstract

Objective

American Indian and Alaska native (AI/AN) individuals report distrust of the healthcare system. This study explored associations between having either high levels of dental distrust or high levels of dental care-related fear and anxiety (“dental anxiety”) and oral health outcomes in AI/AN adults.

Methods

The 2022 State of Oral Health Equity in America survey included the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and asked to what extent respondents agreed with the statement, “At my last oral health visit, I trusted the oral health provider I saw”, and asked about self-rated oral health and presence of a dental home.

Results

AI/AN individuals (N = 564) who reported low dental trust (n = 110) or with high dental anxiety (MDAS≥19; n = 113) reported significantly worse overall and oral health and were significantly less likely to have a dental home (p <  0.05 used for each analysis).

Conclusion

Dental distrust and dental anxiety can significantly impact oral health and dental utilization in AI/AN communities and are important intervention targets to improve AI/AN oral health.

Comments

Journal of Public Health Dentistry, Vol. 85, No. 2 (Spring 2025): 192-196. DOI.

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