Dental anxiety and oral health in American Indian and Alaska natives

TL;DR

This study shows that dental distrust and anxiety are linked to worse oral health and less dental care use among American Indian and Alaska Native adults.

Contribution

The study identifies dental distrust and anxiety as key barriers to oral health in AI/AN communities.

Findings

Low dental trust and high dental anxiety are associated with worse self-rated oral health.

Individuals with these issues are less likely to have a dental home.

These factors are critical for improving oral health outcomes in AI/AN populations.

Abstract

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.

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.

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).

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.