December 2015

Volume 32, Issue 4

Dental anxiety and oral health in 15-year-olds: a repeated cross-sectional study over 30 years

Authors: A. Stenebrand M. Hakeberg A. Nydell Helkimo G. Koch U. Wide Boman
doi: 10.1922/CDH_3625Stenebrand05

Abstract

Objectives: To report the prevalence of dental anxiety in Swedish 15-year-olds over a 30-year period (1973-2003) and how dental anxiety relates to oral health. Basic research design: The study used a repeated cross-sectional design. Participants: In 1973, 1983, 1993, and 2003, random samples of 96 to 107 15-year-olds were selected from the city of Jönköping, Sweden, 405 overall. Main Outcome Measures: Dental anxiety (DA) and its association with oral health (caries, gingivitis, plaque, fillings) were analysed (α=0.05). Results: The proportions of dentally anxious during the period were 38% (n=37) in 1973, 26% (n=28) in 1983, 18% (n=15) in 1993 and 13% (n=12) in 2003 a clearly decreasing trend with time. The strongest predictor of DA was gender, with girls reporting higher levels of DA. In three of the four examination years, adolescents with DA had more filled permanent surfaces than those without DA. Those with DA had a greater caries experience only in 1973. No associations were found between DA and plaque or gingivitis. Multivariate logistic modellingconfirmed that DA decreased over time and that girls had higher levels of DA. Conclusions: This study showed a clear decrease in DA in 15-year-olds over a 30-year period, with a greater proportion of girls being more dentally anxious. The results also indicate a relationship between DA and oral health; the dentally anxious having more filled surfaces and, only in 1973, more decayed tooth surfaces. Key words: adolescence, dental anxiety, oral health, dental caries, prevalence, Sweden

Download

Other articles in this issue

Article Pages Access
Editorial - Local Dental Networks: Trendy or Transformational? 194-195 Download
The feasibility of using an alcohol screening tool in a UK dental setting to identify patients’ alcohol consumption 196-198 Download
Long term evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of community milk fluoridation in Bulgaria 199-203 Download
Is the value of oral health related to culture and environment, or function and aesthetics? 204-208 Download
Time trends and determinants of acute odontogenic maxillofacial infections in Lithuania: a retrospective national 2009-2013 treatment data audit 209-215 Download
Patient safety in domiciliary dental care for elderly nursing home residents in Sweden 216-220 Download
Dental anxiety and oral health in 15-year-olds: a repeated cross-sectional study over 30 years 221-225 Download
Development and evaluation of a Dental Patient Feedback on Consultation skills (DPFC) measure to enhance communication 226-230 Download
Listening to older adults: community consultation on a new dental service 231-236 Download
A retrospective audit of population service access trends for cleft lip and cleft palate patients 237-240 Download
Perceived mental stress in relation to oral health over time in middle-aged Swedish women 241-246 Download
Dental utilization disparities in a Jewish context: reasons and potential solutions 247-251 Download
Caregiver financial distress, depressive symptoms and limited social capital as barriers to children’s dental care in a midwestern county in the United States 252-256 Download

Subscribe

Online (Single user only)
£150
Institution Online (IP address validation)
£250

Back issues may be obtained from the publisher

Consider recommending subscription to your institution's library

You can view Open Access papers without a subscription.