Perceptions and Anxiety Level of Students during Administration of Local Anesthesia

Abstract

Objective: To assess perceptions and anxiety levels of dental students during administration of local anesthesia Study Design & Setting: This comparative cross sectional study was conceived in Foundation University Dental College and conducted in multiple institutes after endorsement from the ethical committee of the university from August – October 2021. Methodology: The questionnaire comprised of three sections which included demographic profile section, perceptions, and experience of administration of mandibular, maxillary, or inferior alveolar nerve block on the 5-point Likert’s scale and comparative anxiety analysis before, during or after local anesthetic administration with interval scale of anxiety response. Results: It was found that 311 (81.8%) dental students/professionals were anxious (cumulative response of “little nervous” and above) before administrating local anesthesia injection. It was found that students were significantly more anxious during and after local anesthesia administration as compared to clinical practitioners (p<0.001). About 89% of the responders agreed to the usefulness of video demonstration while 98% agreed to the usefulness of hands-on practice of local anesthesia administration techniques Conclusion: Students were significantly more anxious during and after local anesthesia administration as compared to clinical practitioners. Video demonstration and hands-on practice are useful adjuvants in the reduction of local anesthesia administration anxiety.