Dental anxiety, dental health attitudes, and bodily symptoms as correlates of asthma symptoms in adult dental patients with asthma.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between asthma symptoms and dental anxiety, dental health attitudes, and physical symptoms and sensations such as watery eyes, upset stomach, headaches, and nausea in a group of adult dental patients with asthma. These variables are believed to be highly related to stress levels, which can exacerbate asthma symptoms during dental treatment. METHODS Four self-report questionnaires and a demographic information form were completed by 60 adults with asthma in a waiting room of a private dental practice prior to receiving treatment. These instruments assessed dental anxiety, dental health attitudes, bodily symptoms, and asthma symptoms. Bivariate correlations were computed and tested for significance. They were followed by multiple regression analysis to analyze the relationship between the predictor variables-dental anxiety, dental health attitudes, and bodily symptoms, to the dependent variable-asthma symptoms. RESULTS Pearson product correlations between the study variables revealed a statistically significant relationship between dental anxiety and bodily symptoms (r = 0.23, p < 0.05), and asthma symptoms and bodily symptoms (r = 54, p < 0.01). The analysis of variance indicated that the overall regression model (R2 = 30) was statistically significant (F(3,56) = 7.92, p < 0.01). Bodily symptoms was the only significant variable in the model. CONCLUSION Dentists and dental hygienist should be attuned to adult patients who have asthma and exhibit signs of anxiety and/or other physical symptoms, or indicators of stress that can exacerbate asthma during or prior to dental treatment.