Dental Anxiety Scale Calculator
Assess patient dental anxiety using a modified MDAS questionnaire and determine sedation recommendations.
Medical Disclaimer
This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of results from this tool.
Inputs
Results
Total Score (5-25)
12
Anxiety Level
Moderate Anxiety
How to Use This Calculator
- Rate each of the five anxiety questions on a scale of 1 (not anxious) to 5 (extremely anxious).
- Answer q1Fear about visiting the dentist, q2Drill about drilling, q3Injection about injections, q4Cleaning about scaling, and q5Overall for general dental anxiety.
- Review the Total Score (5–25) — scores of 19+ indicate high anxiety; 5–10 indicates low anxiety.
- Check the Anxiety Level classification and Sedation Recommendation to discuss appropriate comfort measures with your dental provider.
How the result changes with Fear of Drilling (1-5)
| Fear of Drilling (1-5) | Total Score (5-25) | Anxiety Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 10.4 | Moderate Anxiety |
| 2.4 | 11.4 | Moderate Anxiety |
| 3.6 | 12.6 | Moderate Anxiety |
| 4.6 | 13.6 | Moderate Anxiety |
What each input means
- Fear of Dental Visit (1-5)
- 1 = Not anxious, 5 = Extremely anxious about visiting the dentist tomorrow
- Fear of Drilling (1-5)
- 1 = Not anxious, 5 = Extremely anxious about having a tooth drilled
- Fear of Injection (1-5)
- 1 = Not anxious, 5 = Extremely anxious about receiving a local anesthetic injection
- Fear of Cleaning (1-5)
- 1 = Not anxious, 5 = Extremely anxious about having teeth cleaned/scaled
- Overall Dental Anxiety (1-5)
- 1 = Not anxious, 5 = Extremely anxious about dental treatment in general
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersFear of Dental Visit (1-5) = 2, Fear of Drilling (1-5) = 3, Fear of Injection (1-5) = 3, Fear of Cleaning (1-5) = 2 = 5 input(s) provided
- Calculate Total ScoreTotal Score12 = 12
- Calculate Anxiety LevelModerate Anxiety = Moderate Anxiety
- Calculate Sedation RecommendationConsider behavioral management techniques = Consider behavioral management techniques
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