Dental anxiety in Iceland: an epidemiological postal survey

Abstract

In this study, we examined the prevalence of specific (dental) phobia among a sample of the Icelandic population. In addition to dental anxiety we explored factors that could be related to dental anxiety. In the period 1972-73, a stratified sample of 1641 schoolchildren in Reykjavík was selected for a study on malocclusion, dental maturation and other factors. Twenty-two years later (1995), a postal survey conducted in this group looked at many variables relating to oral health, including orofacial pain, functional oral disorders, self-perception of dental and general appearance and need for orthodontic treatment. Out of 1529 individuals contacted, 1192 completed questionnaires were returned (response rate 78%). Questions based on DSM-IV criteria of specific (dental) phobia (DP) were included. Ninety-six participants reported that they had avoided dental treatment during the previous 6 months. Twenty-one respondents fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for specific (dental) phobia (DP) and 75 admitted to many symptoms of dental anxiety (DA). Specific (dental) phobia (DP) was more prevalent among women than among men. The divorced or widowed were most at risk, as were non-salaried respondents. Most respondents attributed the onset of their phobias to a specific painful or fearful experience. There was a significant difference between the total dentally anxious (TDA = DA + DP) and the not dentally anxious (NDA) with regard to sex (women--higher TDA) and marital status (divorced or widowed--higher TDA). The TDA had statistically fewer teeth than the NDA and received dental treatment less frequently.

Changes in dental fear among Finnish adults: a national survey

“…In this study, participants who were afraid of visiting a dentist were evaluated at two different points in time: in 2000 and in 2011, but how afraid of visiting a dentist they were between these surveys is not known. However, women were more afraid of visiting a dentist than men were, as also reported in earlier studies , but changes in being afraid of visiting a dentist were similar among men and women.…”

“…The prevalence of dental fear varies according to gender and age. In cross‐sectional studies, women have consistently reported dental fear more often than men , but according to age, the results were less consistent . There seem to be differences in changes over time by gender and age.…”

Dental fear in Australia: who's afraid of the dentist?

“…2 While socio-economic gradients are rife in relation to health outcomes, there is less evidence of differences in dental fear by socio-economic status. In general, it appears that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds have higher fear, 18,22,23 although some studies have failed to find a relationship between education and dental fear. 6,20 There is also evidence that socio-economic status may be related only to moderate levels of dental anxiety.…”

Strategies for Combating Dental Anxiety

“…6 Others have found that women are more likely to exhibit dental anxiety, which was most often attributed to a negative dental experience. [7][8] Although the literature includes suggestions for combating dental anxiety (for example, establishing trust, appropriate attire, making pharmacological support available), [9][10] the bulk of the research on this topic documents such anxiety rather than addresses how to ease it.…”