Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Emine Ararat; Sevgi Öğüt

doi:10.61139/ijdor.1947907

Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Although aging is a natural process seen in all individuals, the older population is increasing every passing year. Parallel to this, an increase in oral and general health problems is observed. The aim of the study is to evaluate the oral health and anxiety levels of older patients who apply to the faculty of dentistry for any reason. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 study participants aged 65 and over between January and June 2025. The first part of the survey included general information on gender, age, and education; the second part included questions measuring dental anxiety levels with the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and the third part included a total of 19 questions on oral health awareness.
Results: Of the older patients who participated in the survey, 51.2% were male (n=205) and 48.8% (n=195) were female. The age range of the participants ranged from 65 to 95 years, with a mean age of 67.33±4.23 years. The average anxiety score of older patients was quite low and was 8.69, and female patients had higher dental anxiety than male patients. No relationship was observed between education level and dental anxiety.
Conclusions: This study showed poor oral health behaviors, and low dental anxiety in geriatric population. Regular dentist visits are very important for older individuals to maintain their oral health and prevent diseases.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No funding resource.

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Imam University Faculty of Medical Research Ethics Committee (no: 2025/05-10).

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Dentistry (Other), Geriatrics and Gerontology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Emine Ararat ^*
0000-0002-2383-373X
Türkiye

Sevgi Öğüt
0000-0002-6785-3089
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 31, 2026

Submission Date

May 11, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 6 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.61139/ijdor.1947907

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA48WL94UF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ararat, E., & Öğüt, S. (2026). Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research, 6(2), 121-129. https://doi.org/10.61139/ijdor.1947907

AMA

1.Ararat E, Öğüt S. Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. HRU Int J Dent Oral Res. 2026;6(2):121-129. doi:10.61139/ijdor.1947907

Chicago

Ararat, Emine, and Sevgi Öğüt. 2026. “Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research 6 (2): 121-29. https://doi.org/10.61139/ijdor.1947907.

EndNote

Ararat E, Öğüt S (August 1, 2026) Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research 6 2 121–129.

IEEE

[1]E. Ararat and S. Öğüt, “Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”, HRU Int J Dent Oral Res, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 121–129, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.61139/ijdor.1947907.

ISNAD

Ararat, Emine - Öğüt, Sevgi. “Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research 6/2 (August 1, 2026): 121-129. https://doi.org/10.61139/ijdor.1947907.

JAMA

1.Ararat E, Öğüt S. Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. HRU Int J Dent Oral Res. 2026;6:121–129.

MLA

Ararat, Emine, and Sevgi Öğüt. “Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research, vol. 6, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 121-9, doi:10.61139/ijdor.1947907.

Vancouver

1.Emine Ararat, Sevgi Öğüt. Evaluation of Oral Health and Dental Anxiety Levels of Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study. HRU Int J Dent Oral Res. 2026 Aug. 1;6(2):121-9. doi:10.61139/ijdor.1947907