Impacto psicológico de la endodoncia en los pacientes de la clínica de la UCSG semestre A 2024.

Abstract

Dental anxiety is a common issue that can deter patients from seeking dental treatment, particularly procedures like endodontics, which are perceived as painful and lengthy. Understanding the psychological impact of endodontic treatment is crucial for improving dental care and reducing patient anxiety.General Objective: To evaluate the psychological impact of endodontics on patients at the Clinic of the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG) during the A-2024 semester, focusing on anxiety levels before and after the treatment. Materials and Methods: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 patients over 18 years old requiring endodontic treatment. The Modified Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) was applied before and after the procedure, assessing anxiety levels in four categories: mild, moderate, high, and severe. Results: 47.5% of the patients showed moderate anxiety before the treatment, decreasing to 45% post-procedure. Patients with mild or no anxiety increased from 33.33% to 42.5%, while severe anxiety decreased from 9.17% to 6.67%. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that endodontic patients who attend the UCSG Clinic during the A-2024 semester mostly present mild or no anxiety before and after endodontic treatment, with a prevalence in women.