AU - Laizer, Paulo AU - Ndekero, Tumaini AU - Sohal, Karpal TI - Prevalence of dental anxiety among undergraduate students at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania PT - ORIG DP - 2018 Jul 1 TA - International Journal of Social Rehabilitation PG - 33-36 VI - 3 IP - 2 4099- https://www.ijsocialrehab.com/article.asp?issn=WKMP-0125;year=2018;volume=3;issue=2;spage=33;epage=36;aulast=Laizer;type=0 4100- https://www.ijsocialrehab.com/article.asp?issn=WKMP-0125;year=2018;volume=3;issue=2;spage=33;epage=36;aulast=Laizer AB - Background: Dental anxiety is one of the most common phobias and among the major problems in dentistry. Students in medical field are future health professionals who are supposed to provide a positive attitude toward dentistry to the society. However, if they have dental anxiety, their attitude toward dentistry is likely to be negative. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental anxiety among undergraduate students at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving undergraduate students at MUHAS. Data were collected using self-administered Modified Dental Anxiety Scale questionnaire with additional questions on demographic characteristics and a list of fear-provoking factors. Data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences computer software version 19.0 (2010; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Chi-square test was used to assess the association between variables, and the significance level was set at P < 0.05. Results: This study enrolled 252 undergraduate students with an age range of 18–39 years. More than half (54.4%) were males. Most (55.2%) of the participants had some degree of dental anxiety. The prevalence of dental anxiety was relatively higher in females (70.4%). The association between dental anxiety and the degree courses was significant. Dental students had the lowest dental anxiety level compared to nondental students. Conclusion: The prevalence of dental anxiety among undergraduate students at MUHAS was high. Dental anxiety was significantly higher in female students. There was a significant relationship between dental anxiety and the degree course of the participants.