Association between dental anxiety, utilisation and oral health-related quality of life among young adults in Malaysia

Ab Malek, Azizi and Che Musa, Muhd Firdaus and Mohd Radzi, Nawwal Alwani (2026) Association between dental anxiety, utilisation and oral health-related quality of life among young adults in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 22 (2). pp. 1-11. ISSN 1675-8544 E-ISSN 2636-9346

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Abstract

Introduction: Dental anxiety (DA) is a potential barrier to dental care among young adults in Malaysia, yet its influence on dental utilisation (DU) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the relationship between DA and DU, as well as their impact on OHRQoL for Malaysian young adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 601 young adults in Selangor using convenience sampling. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing DA, DU and OHRQoL. Results: The mean age of participants was 20.67 ± 2.71 years. While 94.8% perceived dental visits as important, only 72.5% reported intent to attend preventive check-ups. The most common barriers to DU were time (67.2%), cost (17%), and fear (6.8%). The mean MDAS score was 11.87 ± 4.42. Higher DA was significantly associated with sex and unknown fear items (p<0.05). However, DA was not significantly related to actual DU behaviour. Multiple linear regression identified key predictors of poorer OHRQoL, including older age (p = 0.016), Malay ethnicity (p < 0.001), proximity to a dental clinic (≤5 km: p = 0.014), and high DA (MDAS ≥ 13: p < 0.001). The model demonstrated moderate explanatory power (Adjusted R² = 0.143, F = 8.153, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although DA did not significantly influence DU, it was associated with OHRQoL, along with age, ethnicity, and proximity to dental clinics. These findings highlight the need to address DA to enhance oral health-related quality of life among young Malaysian adults.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Dental Anxiety, Dental Care, Quality of Life, Oral Health, Malaysia
Subjects:	R Medicine > RK Dentistry
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Dentistry Kulliyyah of Dentistry > Department of Paediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health
Depositing User:	Dr Muhd Firdaus bin Che Musa
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2026 15:43
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2026 15:43
Queue Number:	2026-06-Q3783
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129505

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