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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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01-06-2009 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Are people with dental fear under-represented in oral epidemiological surveys?

Authors: Jason M. Armfield, BA(Hons), PhD, Gary D. Slade, BDSc, PhD, A. John Spencer, MDS, MPH, PhD

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 6/2009

Abstract

Background

Dental phobia is associated with poorer dental attendance so epidemiological surveys requiring participants to undertake a dental examination may result in an under-representation of participants with high dental fear.

Method

We compared the dental fear distribution of participants and non-participants in an oral examination component of a national epidemiological survey of oral health. Of 12,606 in-scope dentate people aged 15+ who completed a structured computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey, 5,505 (43.7%) participated in the oral examination. Dental fear was assessed with a single-item measure in the CATI.

Results

There was a significant difference between the percentages of participants and non-participants who rated themselves as “extremely” afraid, although the absolute difference (1.9%) was small. The association between extreme dental fear and participation was significant (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.56–0.77) in multivariate analyses after controlling for possible confounders. Females with extreme dental fear were also significantly less likely to undertake an oral examination.

Conclusion

Even though people with dental fear and phobia may delay or avoid dental visits, they do not appear to be appreciably under-represented in oral epidemiological surveys.

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Title: Are people with dental fear under-represented in oral epidemiological surveys?
Authors: Jason M. Armfield, BA(Hons), PhD
Gary D. Slade, BDSc, PhD
A. John Spencer, MDS, MPH, PhD
Publication date: 01-06-2009
Publisher: Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 6/2009
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0454-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Are people with dental fear under-represented in oral epidemiological surveys?

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

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