İrfan ÜSTÜNDAĞ, Fatih ÇAĞLAYAN, Ahmet Faruk DERİN, Mehmet Sait ŞİMŞEK, Yunus ÇETİNER, Bahadır SANCAR
İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Hizmetleri Meslek Yüksek Okulu Dergisi - 2026;14(2):369-379
This randomized, controlled clinical trial aims to assess the impact of different information techniques on patients' dental anxiety prior to extraction of an impacted third molar. Our hypothesis is that verbal reporting by the physician is more effective at reducing anxiety than AI-generated written and audio information. Sixty-four healthy individuals scheduled for extraction of impacted mandibular third molars were randomly divided into two groups. The control group received verbal information from the physician, while the experimental group listened in a remote room to the informational text recorded by ChatGPT using ElevenLabs technology. Dental anxiety disorder was assessed before and after the information session, using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). In addition to this scale, a knowledge test and a patient satisfaction questionnaire were administered. Both groups experienced a significant reduction in anxiety levels after receiving information, compared with baseline values (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in knowledge test scores (p = 0.867). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.015). In conclusion, preoperative patient education effectively reduces dental anxiety, regardless of the technique used. Although there was no statistically significant difference between the methods in reducing dental anxiety, the physician's verbal explanation reduced it more effectively.
