The aim of this study was to determine the levels of dental anxiety, dental caries and gingivitis among 12-15-year-old schoolchildren, in Irbid Governorate/northern Jordan, and to evaluate the correlation between these variables. Two schools were selected by a simple random method from each of the five geographic areas in Irbid Governorate. All children (1021), from the 10 selected schools, who participated in this study completed a questionnaire modified from Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey (DFS questionnaire). Children underwent oral examination for dental caries and gingival condition, using Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) Index and Löe and Silness Gingival Index (GI), respectively. Results of this survey showed that the prevalence of low to moderate 'general dental fear' among the study population was 43% while that of 'high dental fear' was 10%. The self-reported 'general fear of dental treatment' was higher among girls than boys. Fear of specific stimuli (pain) was the most common source of dental fear. The sight and sensation of the anaesthetic needle and the sight, sound and sensation of the drill were rated the most fear-eliciting stimuli. The mean DMFT (2.89) and GI (1.80) of boys was not significantly different from the DMFT (3.37) and GI (1.53) of girls (P > 0.05). Spearman's correlation test demonstrated no association between 'general dental fear' and dental caries (r = 0.06) or gingivitis (r = 0.007).
Dental anxiety constitutes a major problem for patients and dental care providers alike. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between dental anxiety and regularity of dental attendance among young adults. A random sample of 15 course directors (1:50) was asked to participate in the study. Of these, only 10 course-directors agreed to handout the 500 questionnaires. All undergraduate students who participated in this study were asked to complete a questionnaire modified from Dental Fear Survey (DFS) questionnaire and 368 (73.6%) filled forms were returned for statistical analysis. The results showed that only 20.9% were regular dental attendee while the majority (79.1%) were irregular attendee. The reasons given for irregular attendance were 'lack of time' (36%), 'treatment not needed' (34.1%), 'fear from dentist' (13.3%) and 'cost' (16.6%). The sight and sensation of the injection and sight, sound, and sensation of the drill were the most common fear-eliciting stimuli. Increased heart rate was the commonest reported physiological response. Females had higher mean ratings, therefore tended to be more anxious than males. Dental anxiety represented by the mean responses to the items, was found to be higher in irregular dental attendee than regular attendee. In conclusion, this suggests that dental anxiety may affect the seeking of dental care, therefore to be taken into account when training dental care providers.
Aims:To assess the prevalence of dental fear and reasons for irregular dental attendance among young adult university students; to describe the gender distribution of the dentally anxious population according to the perceived origins or sources of fear; to identify the time of fear development and preference for anaesthesia or sedation before dental treatment. Method: A questionnaire incorporating the Dental Fear Scale (DFS) with items related to sources of dental fear stimuli, together with the preference of anaesthesia or sedation before dental treatment and other characteristics. Approximately 500 questionnaires were distributed among Saudian undergraduate students. Results: 368 questionnaires were completed and presented for statistical analysis. The sight and sensation of anaesthetic needles and the sight, sound and sensation of the drill were rated the most fear-eliciting stimuli. Also, females tended to be more anxious than males. Increased heart rate was the most common reported physiological response to fear resulting from dental treatment. The overall level of fear of dental work among the studied population was found to be about 39%. 'Lack of time' and 'no need for treatment' were found to be the main reasons for irregular dental visits. Fear of pain and trauma were the major perceived sources of reported fear reactions and were developed mainly during childhood. About 63% of the subjects preferred to have local anaesthesia before dental treatment to prevent or ameliorate dental fear.
This paper reviews the overall picture for oral hygiene, gingival/periodontal disease, dental caries and oral lesions/conditions in Jordanian subjects and its relationship to socioeconomic status. Furthermore, the trends of certain conditions are described. Only approximately one-third of children brushed their teeth regularly, so the amount of plaque was high and gingivitis was pronounced irrespective of socioeconomic status. Public school children had higher overall scores for decayed, missing, or filled teeth and surfaces than the children in the private schools. In general, boys had higher plaque and gingival scores than girls. The occurrences of shallow and deep pockets in these children were low (0.3-5.3%). Although an improvement in oral hygiene, gingival conditions and dental caries has been reported recently in children, the prevalence of these conditions is still high compared to that found in the developed countries. More than one half of the adults brushed their teeth regularly and high proportions of subjects with shallow and deep pockets were found in the 50-60-year-old age group with about 19% and 11% respectively. Fordyce's granules and tori were the most common lesions among the thirty different oral lesions or conditions diagnosed. It may be concluded that motivation and proper oral hygiene should be emphasised. Secondly, implementation of school-based oral health promotion and prevention programmes is urgently needed.
Results of this study prove that oral health awareness level among public schoolchildren in Jordan is still poor and needs to be improved. Based upon these findings, the establishment of a long-term school-based oral health education programme in Jordan is highly recommended.
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