Dental anxiety and dental avoidance among 12 to 18 year olds in Norway

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and possible explanatory factors of dental avoidance due to dental anxiety among 12 to 18 year olds treated within the Norwegian Public Dental Service. A total of 754 20-yr-olds completed a questionnaire and three psychometric scales, the Dental Fear Scale (DFS), the Dental Beliefs Survey (DBS) and the Geer Fear Scale (GFS), and gave their consent to collect data from their dental records. A total of 169 subjects (22.4%) had high dental anxiety (DFS>59 or DBS>47 at age 20 yr), and 124 subjects (16.4%) had high frequency of missed/cancelled appointments (20% or more) during the period 12-18 yr. Forty-seven subjects (6.2%) fulfilling both of the above criteria constituted the dental avoidance group. An analysis using a stepwise regression model indicated that having had more than one painful or unpleasant treatment experience increased the risk of being included in the avoidance group by a factor of 10.9. Equally, adolescents who were not attending school (working or without specified occupation) increased the risk by a factor of 6.9, having a high caries experience by a factor of 5.0, and not having their dental treatment completed at the age of 18 yr by a factor of 4.4.

Dental anxiety: An understudied problem in youth

“…First, multiple UCS/CS pairings make the learning more probable although, it should be noted that some evidence suggests this is not necessary if the UCS is particularly potent (Davey, 1989;de Jongh et al, 1995)]. Second, importantly, individuals who have multiple painful dental experiences are more likely to avoid dental treatment (Skaret, Raadal, Berg, & Kvale, 1999). This avoidance in turn effects dental anxiety through a direct path -not allowing for non-fearful learning, as well as indirectly-through the impact of avoidance on cognitions regarding dental stimuli (Carrillo-Diaz, Crego, Armfield, & Romero-Maroto, 2012).…”

Prevalence among adolescents in Bergen, Western Norway, of temporomandibular disorders according to the DC/TMD criteria and examination protocol

“…We assumed a prevalence of 5% and used a precision of 3.5% for the 95% confidence interval, which gave a sample size of 149. Due to an anticipated drop-out (missing /cancelled appointments [21], the goal was to include 210 individuals in the study. Hence, the five clinics aimed to recruit approximately 40 study participants each, with the objective to obtain a convenience sample of 210, assumed to reflect the social gradients of adolescents managed by the PDHS in Bergen, Western Norway.…”

Dental Treatment under Sedation

“…Avoidance behaviour is typical for patients with dental anxiety and phobia and they frequently cancel dental appointments (Skaret et al 1999). Even if their intention for showing up is sincere, their anticipatory anxiety and catastrophic thoughts increase as the time of appointment approaches, frequently after a sleepless night.…”