September 2012

Volume 29, Issue 3

Dental anxiety levels in British servicemen and women

Authors: G.P. Grimshaw C.A. Boyle T. Newton
doi: 10.1922/CDH_2599Grimshaw04

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine: 1, the level of dental anxiety in British Service personnel; 2 whether there was a difference in dental anxiety levels across the three Services; and, 3, the relationship between number of operational tours and level of dental anxiety. Basic research design: Cross sectional questionnaire survey of individuals attending 3 Armed Services dental treatment centres in the UK. The questionnaires were completed between February 2008 and April 2009. Participants: 50 patients each from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, selected consecutively from those attending the centres for treatment. There was a 100% response rate. Main measures: Dental fear as assessed by the Dental Fear Survey (DFS) and scores on a scale of fear of dental injections. Results: 27% of the Armed Services experienced severe dental anxiety: a level similar to that found in the general population. There was no difference in the level of dental anxiety or fear of dental injections across the three Armed Services. There was no relationship between number of operational tours undertaken and level of dental anxiety. Conclusions: Dental anxiety is found amongst members of the British Armed Services at levels similar to that in the general population. This represents a challenge for service provision, particularly in operational settings. Key words: dental anxiety, Armed Services

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Other articles in this issue

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Editorial - Population based health and care: what does the new dental professional need to know? 194-194 Download
Dental Public Health in Action - The use of dental therapists as examiners in dental epidemiological surveys 195-197 Download
A service evaluation of patient pathways and care experiences of dentally anxious adult patients 198-202 Download
Assessment and validation of the oral impact on daily performance (OIDP) instrument among adults in Karnataka, South India 203-208 Download
The dental health of 5 year-old children living in Damascus, Syria 209-213 Download
Oral impacts and their association with tooth loss in Sri Lankan adults 214-218 Download
Oral Health Related Quality of Life among Older Adults in Central China 219-223 Download
High levels of periodontal disease among the older adult population in San Juan, Puerto Rico 224-228 Download
Caries in five different socio-economic clusters in Örebro county 229-232 Download
Root caries in 35-44 and 65-74 year-olds in Turkey 233-238 Download
Dental anxiety levels in British servicemen and women 239-242 Download
Sexual correlates of gagging and dental anxiety 243-247 Download
Oral hygiene education in adolescence based on the Precaution Adoption Process Model 248-251 Download
Professional careers of graduates from one UK dental school 252-256 Download

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