O medo odontológico sob a perspectiva dos usuários do X® (antigo twitter)

um estudo infodemiológico

Abstract

This study evaluated posts related to dental fear. An infodemiological study was carried out by collecting information from the X® database (formerly known as Twitter). In the “Advanced Search” function, in 2021, using the term “dental fear”, 16,925 posts were identified, published in Brazilian Portuguese. After applying the eligibility criteria, 3,828 posts were selected, which were grouped into 8 distinct categories (Consultation, Professional, Patient, Pain, Coping/Overcoming, Need for Intervention, Procedure and End of Treatment). Anxiety and/or phobia were also recorded. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson's Chi-Square Test). Female users were responsible for most posts (81.3%) and the Southeast-Southern block accounted for approximately 70% of posts. It was found that 74.3% of accounts had a number of followers equal to or less than 1,000. Carrying out dental procedures in the surgical area was mentioned as the main reason for triggering fear and the terms “dentist”, “fear”, “extraction”, “tooth” and “wisdom tooth” were frequently used. In the bivariate analysis, the “Coping/Overcoming” category was associated with gender (p=0.019), while the “Consultation” and “Patient” categories were associated with the semesters of 2021 (p<0.001). In a small number of posts (2.5%), feelings of dental anxiety and/or odontophobia were mentioned. Fear was triggered by different situations experienced in the dental context, mainly those resulting from surgical procedures.