Do state-trait anxiety and previous unpleasant dental experiences predict the need for sedation in women having third molar surgery?

The aim of this study was to examine the need for sedation in women who had or had not had a previous unpleasant dental experience, and to assess possible contributory factors. The sample size required was estimated at 312 subjects. Healthy women listed for the surgical removal of third molars were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their health, clinical and personal experience, past dental experience, result of the Indicator of Sedation Need (IOSN) scale, and of the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The participants were categorised before analysis by the nature of their previous dental experience. The number of participants who required sedation, their mean IOSN score, and the mean degree of state anxiety were significantly higher in the unpleasant experience group. The younger the patient at the time of the experience, the worse the state-anxiety (r=-0.25). The odds that sedation would be needed were 2.24 times higher in the same group. The final model correctly predicted the need for sedation in 75.3% of the cases. Healthy women having third molar surgery who had had a previous upsetting dental experience were more likely to need sedation and had worse state-anxiety than those who had not.