From Anticipation to Relief: Anxiety Reduction and Patient Experience as Indicators of Trust During Dental Extractions in Orthodontic Treatment

Kanza Tahir, Resident Orthodontics, Department of Dentistry, The Aga Khan University Hospital, P.O Box 3500, Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
Mubassar Fida, Consultant Orthodontist/Professor, Associate Program Director Orthodontics Residency Program, Department of Dentistry, The Aga Khan University Hospital, P.O Box 3500, Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan Follow
Rashna Hoshang Sukhia, Consultant Orthodontist/Associate Professor, Program Director Orthodontics Residency Program, Department of Dentistry, The Aga Khan University Hospital, P.O Box 3500, Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan

ORCID

Kanza Tahir: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3445-0363

Rashna Hoshang Sukhia: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9210-6432

Abstract

Trust is central to healthcare encounters involving fear and uncertainty. This quasi-experimental study evaluated changes in anxiety before and after dental extractions performed during orthodontic treatment planning and examined whether patient experience factors were associated with post-extraction anxiety. Fifty patients aged 11–40 years undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment requiring extraction were recruited consecutively at a tertiary care hospital from October 2023 to June 2024. Anxiety was measured immediately before and after extraction using the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Post-procedure patient experience was assessed with a structured questionnaire addressing reassurance, communication, privacy, shared decision-making, perceived understanding, and overall experience. Paired t-tests and simple linear regression were applied at p ≤ 0.05. Mean anxiety scores decreased significantly from 18.84 ± 4.09 before extraction to 13.12 ± 4.55 after extraction (p ≤ 0.001), indicating a transition from anticipatory distress to post-procedural relief. Most participants reported positive experiences, including feeling reassured (60%) and well cared for (66%). Positive overall patient experience and feeling understood by the doctor were significantly associated with lower post-extraction anxiety, whereas perceived exclusion from decision-making and lack of privacy were associated with higher anxiety. Female gender and previous painful dental experiences were associated with higher pre-extraction anxiety. These exploratory findings suggest that relational aspects of care, particularly communication, privacy, shared decision-making, and feeling understood, may influence emotional outcomes during orthodontic extractions and strengthen patient confidence through patient-centered care.

Recommended Citation

Tahir K, Fida M, Sukhia R. From Anticipation to Relief: Anxiety Reduction and Patient Experience as Indicators of Trust During Dental Extractions in Orthodontic Treatment. Patient Experience Journal. ; 13(2):142-149. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.2137.