Background data about the high dental fear scores of Hungarian 8-15-year-old primary school children

Free associations (coupling) of 139 Hungarian primary school children about their teeth was collected. Dental fear (DAS, DFS) and general anxiety scores were measured. Typical dental events (i.e.: loss of deciduous teeth, simple and traumatising dental treatments, tooth fractures) were coupled by the participants in 41.0% of the cases. Functions and importance of the teeth and oral hygiene were described in 20.1% of the cases. Simple, grotesque, or magical stories and tales about teeth were found in 8.6% of the cases. No answer was given in 30.2% of the cases. Highest dental fear and general anxiety scores were found in the group coupled traumatising dental treatment. Traumatising loss of deciduous teeth was caused by the dentist or by the father of the child, and was associated with higher dental fear and general anxiety comparing to simple loss of deciduous teeth. Higher dental fear and general anxiety scores were found in the group coupled functions and importance of the teeth comparing to the group coupled simple, grotesque, or magical stories and tales, or the group giving no answer.     

Epidemiological study of dental fear scores in several Hungarian sub-populations

Authors investigated the dental fear scores (DAS, DFS) and anxieties of 362 persons from several sub-populations living in Budapest. The subjects were: 253 females, 109 males, aged 14 to 73. Dental fear scores were rather high (DAS: 11.0 +/- 3.6; DFS: 42.0 +/- 16.0). Age influenced the dental fear scales (DAS and DFS) only; sex, and marital status influenced both dental fear scales and general anxiety scales (one-way ANOVA). A strong correlation between DAS and DFS, and somewhat lower correlation between these scales and the general anxiety scales were also demonstrated.     

Dental fear scores of 12-19-year-old school children of the Hungarian minority in Transylvania

In this study 549 school children of the Hungarian minority in Transylvania were investigated (n=549, 342 female, 207 male, age between: 12-19 years). Mean dental fear scores were high: DAS: 12.6 +/- 3.3, DFS: 50.6 +/- 25.1. Girls scored significantly higher (p< or =0.01) in both scales. Scores increased between age of 12 and 16 confluently in both scales (DAS, DFS; p< or =0.05). There was a strong Pearson's correlation between DAS and DFS scales: (r= 0.70; p< or =0.01), and a somewhat lower correlation between these scales and the general anxiety scores. Mean DBS score (n = 203 only) was: 44.9 +/- 10.2.     

Some background data about the high dental anxiety of the Hungarian population

100 dental patients waiting for hypnotic dental treatment (n = 100, 58 female, 42 male, mean age: 36.4 +/- 10.6 yr.) was investigated about their perceived origins of dental anxiety. Dental anxiety levels (DAS, DFS) and general anxiety were measured as well. Mean dental anxiety scores were high (DAS: 12.5 +/- 3.3; DFS: 47.9 +/- 17.3). The most frequent reason of high dental anxiety was previous painful dental treatment (20.0%), dislike of dentist's behaviour (15.0%), treatment error (5.0%), and "other reasons" (4.0%). A large amount of the patients (48.0%) did not know what to expect, and 8.0% indicate no fear related to dentistry. Previous painful dental treatment induced the highest dental anxiety (DAS: 15.1 +/- 3.1; DFS: 58.1 +/- 20.3), followed by the "other reasons" (DAS: 14.0 +/- 0.8; DFS: 50.5 +/- 13.5), treatment error (DAS: 13.0 +/- 3.7; DFS: 49.0 +/- 16.1), and dislike of dentist's behaviour (DAS: 11.4 +/- 2.8; DFS: 45.0 +/- 12.5). Increased general anxiety was found in the groups indicated previous painful dental treatment, "other reasons", and no expectation.     

Plaque, gingivitis and dental aptitude test scores of dental students.

In general, plaque and gingivitis scores were correlated negatively with the manual parameters and positively with the academic and mental parameters studied. Plaque showed significant negative correlations with the manual average and the carving test. Gingivitis also demonstrated a negative correlation, just short of significance, with the manual average, but virtually no correlation existed between gingivitis and the carving test. Gingivitis displayed a significant positive correlation with the academic average, and plaque exhibited a nonsignificant positive correlation with the academic average. Relationships between these parameters may help determine what segments of the population are more susceptible to plaque accumulation and gingivitis and may suggest possible new approaches to the adoption of preventive measures. Finally, in view of the statistically significant but relatively low correlation found between manual dexterity and oral health, further investigations are indicated to establish the validity of the relationship.     

Parental factors associated with regular use of dental services by second-year secondary school students in Quebec

The aim of this study was to identify the parental factors associated with regular use of dental services by second year secondary school students in Quebec. Data were collected in 1996-97, as part of a provincial survey on the dental health of Quebec students. A stratified probabilistic sample of 1,351 students, representative at the provincial level, was obtained. Data about frequency of use of dental services, parents' socio-economic characteristics, dental insurance (private and public) and parents' utilization of dental services were selected for this study. Half of the students used dental services regularly (i.e., once every 6 months). Multivariate analysis showed that the strongest parental factors associated with regular use were (in decreasing order of importance) the date of the mother's most recent dental visit, dental insurance, household income and the date of the father's most recent dental visit. After adjustment for the parents' socio-economic characteristics and the availability of dental insurance, students with one parent (particularly the mother) who had visited the dentist within the previous year had better odds of using dental services every 6 months, as recommended by professional standards.     

Dental fear and anxiety scores of a Hungarian population living in the Hungarian-Slovakian border region. A pilot study

The aim of the authors was to investigate whether living as a minority has an influence on the dental fear and anxiety values. In this study 201 volunteers (n = 201, inside border Hungarians 144, outside border Hungarians 57, male 90, female 111; age 8 to 83 years, mean 44 +/- 16 yrs.) were investigated. Our methods included collection of demographic data (gender, age, marital status, profession), and administration of the Hungarian versions of dental fear and anxiety related scales namely: DAS, DAQ, DASQ, DFS, DBS, STAI-S, STAI-T and Expectation Scale. Mean values of the scales were: DAS: 10,34 +/- 3,54; DAQ: 2,3 +/- 1,15; DASQ: 12,58 +/- 4,55; DFS: 40,37 +/- 15,67; DBS: 32,89 +/- 12,94; Expectation Scale: 2,87 +/- 3,56, STAI-S: 39,51 +/- 10,68; STAI-T 41,65 +/- 9,08. The mean scores of all the scales were higher in the case of Hungarians living inside the borders of Hungary. The differences were significant in the case of DAS, DAQ, DASQ and DFS scales (p < 0,05). Data of our study indicate that living as a minority not necessarily leads to the increase of dental fear and anxiety.     

2008年厦门市中小学生恒牙龋病抽样调查分析

目的调查厦门城乡中小学生口腔健康状况,为全国学生体质健康监测网络监测工作的需要以及厦门地区中、小学生恒牙龋病流行趋势及现状提供可靠的数据。方法采用分层整群随机抽样方法,按照《2008年全国学生体质健康监测网络实施方案》中口腔检查的标准,对厦门城乡中、小学生12、14、17年龄组进行口腔健康调查,共1404名学生,其中男性686名,女性718名。采用SPASS 12.0数据软件统计和分析。结果厦门地区中、小学生12、14、17年龄组恒牙总患龋率为48.08%,其中恒牙深龋与浅、中龋构成比率分别为16.53%、83.47%,而充填率仅为15.84%;DMFT总均数为1.38,其中DMFT均数≥1的人数占75.94%,DMFT均数≤3的人数占24.06%。12岁年龄组患龋率为40.16%。结论厦门地区中、小学生恒牙龋病流行趋势较全国其它城市广,其流行程度则较轻。浅、中龋与深龋构成比,浅、中龋是深龋的5倍,DMFT均数≥1是DMFT均数≤3的3倍。第二恒磨牙龋与第一恒磨牙龋构成比随年龄增长而上升。因此,实现龋病预防三早,重视第二恒磨牙开展窝沟封闭具有实际意义。     

Childhood dental fear in the Netherlands: prevalence and normative data

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present normative data on dental fear for the Dutch child population, by identifying not only highly fearful children but also children at risk for developing this high dental fear. METHODS: Fear distribution of samples of high and low fearful children was studied, using the Dutch parent's version of the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS). Total fear scores were calculated for both samples, for different age levels and for boys and girls separately. To establish cut-off scores, mean CFSS-DS scores were associated with dentists' clinical fear ratings and, in addition, were transformed into stanines. RESULTS: Scores between 32 and 38 were found to represent a borderline area for dental fear, and scores of 39 and higher to represent high dental fear. CONCLUSION: The results have shown 6% of the Dutch child population to be highly fearful, while another 8% may be at risk to develop high dental fear. By providing extra attention for these children, the development of high dental fear or phobia may be prevented.     

Elementary school staff knowledge about dental injuries

Abstract –  Elementary school staff can play a crucial role in managing traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) because they are often in proximity to children and are frequently called upon to assist with children's accidents. International studies reveal that elementary school personnel have little knowledge about emergency dental care and management. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, practice and experience regarding TDIs among a sample of elementary school personnel in the USA. Assessment was performed using a demographic questionnaire and a newly developed TDI survey instrument. Results revealed a wide distribution of responses. Overall, dental trauma knowledge among this group was poor. The majority of respondents were not well-versed regarding TDIs, their management, the benefits of timely care or treatment costs. However, staff reported a keen interest in receiving more TDI information and training. TDI education and management are needed among all elementary school staff members to improve the prognosis of these accidents when they occur.     

Oral self-care behavior among dental school students in Greece

The purpose of this study was to determine the oral health attitudes/behavior of Greek dental students. The subjects (n = 539) were officially registered students at the University of Athens Dental School. Their oral health behavior was assessed with the use of a 12-graded-item questionnaire. A significant increase per year of study was observed in the number of students reporting careful brushing of the teeth [OR: 1.1 (1.0-1.3)] and being able to clean their teeth well without the use of toothpaste [OR: 2.5 (2.0-3.1)]. Each year of education significantly increased the probability of disagreement with statements such as: "I think my teeth are getting worse despite my daily brushing" [OR: 1.5 (1.2-1.9)], "It is impossible to prevent gum disease with tooth-brushing alone" [OR: 1.3 (1.1-1.5)], and "I put off going to the dentist until I have a toothache" [OR: 1.3 (1.2-1.6)]. Examination of the summary questionnaire score revealed that females presented significantly higher total scores. All scores increased significantly in the fourth and fifth years of dental studies. During the years of university study, the score variation and favorable attitudes/ behavior toward oral health appear to reflect the variation in the students' educational training experience.