Journal of Dental Medicine

Background and aims: Dental anxiety is one of the most common barriers to utilizing oral health services. It can lead to delayed dental visits, treatment avoidance, and worsening of oral health problems. This study aimed to assess the level of dental anxiety among patients visiting general dental clinics in Babol, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020 on 400 patients over the age of 18 who attended private general dental practices in Babol and were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Persian version of the standard Dental Anxiety Inventory (DAI), consisting of 36 items rated on a five-point Likert scale (score range:
36-180), the validity and reliability of which have been confirmed in previous studies. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS, with a significance level set at 0.05.
Results: The mean age of participants was 31.61  ± 9.03 years, and 61.8% were female. The mean dental anxiety score was 129.52 ± 31.04 out of 180, indicating a relatively high level of anxiety among the participants. Dental anxiety was significantly higher in female (P=0.002) and single participants (P=0.007), while no significant differences were observed based on the age, occupation, education level, or number of previous dental visits (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The findings indicated a high level of dental anxiety among patients attending general dental clinics in Babol. It is recommended that educational, psychological, and communication-based interventions be implemented in dental settings to help the reduction of anxiety and improvement of patient care.

Background and aims: Dental procedures carry a significant risk of transmitting viral and bacterial infections to both patients and healthcare personnel. Patients' awareness of infection control principles can play a crucial role in improving the safety of the clinical environment and promoting public health. This study aimed to assess the level of patients’ awareness regarding infection control principles in dental treatments.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 on 390 patients attending the Dental School Clinic of Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire consisting of 24 items related to infection control. Each correct answer was awarded one point. The total score and awareness level of participants were analyzed based on the gender, age group, educational level, and number of dental visits using independent samples t-test, chi-square test, and ANOVA in SPSS, with a significance level set at 0.05.
Results: The mean age of patients was 33.89 ± 13.24 years and 62.8% were female. The mean awareness score was 18.37 ± 3.21. A total of 76.4% of participants demonstrated a good level of awareness. The awareness mean score was higher in female than male patients (P=0.006). A statistically significant difference was observed in mean awareness scores educational level (P<0.001) and age group (P=0.01). However, no significant difference was found based on the number of dental visits (P=0.867).
Conclusion: Although, the overall level of patient awareness regarding infection control principles was acceptable, gaps remain in certain areas. The implementation of targeted educational programs is recommended to enhance patients’ awareness and to promote infection control practices in dental treatment settings.

Background and Aims: Given the rapid growth of digital technologies in dentistry, assessing dentists’ awareness and attitudes toward this transformation is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and attitudes of general dentists in Yazd-Iran toward digital dentistry in 2025.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 135 general dentists in Yazd-Iran were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected via an online questionnaire including demographic information and the questions related to awareness and attitude. Dat were analyzed using SPSS version 27 and the statistical analysis tests were Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Chi-square to examine the variables.
Results: A total of 59 men and 76 women with a mean age of 31.92 ± 7.87 years participated in the study. The mean knowledge score was 7.76 ± 2.77 out of 12. Higher knowledge and a more positive attitude were significantly associated with older age, longer work experience, and male gender (P<0.05). Overall, 74.1% of participants were unaware of the well-known CAD/CAM system, 74.8% were unfamiliar with digital implant software, and 60% did not have adequate knowledge of correct application of intraoral scanners. While, 81.5% reported an overall positive attitude, only 11.9% considered their knowledge to be aligned with modern digital technologies.
Conclusion: General dentists demonstrated a moderate level of awareness and the existing knowledge gaps warrant greater attention in both undergraduate and continuing education. Enhancing knowledge among specific groups-such as younger, less experienced, and female dentists—is essential. Significant differences in attitudes were observed according to the age, gender, and years of professional experience.