Changes in dental fear among Finnish adults: a national survey

Liinavuori, Arja; Tolvanen, Mimmi; Pohjola, Vesa; Lahti, Satu

doi:10.1111/cdoe.12196

Cited by 39 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(89 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The mean values for MDAS scores of women and men were rather similar to those found among pregnant Finnish families [27]. However, prevalence of high dental fear among these healthy University students was lower than among 19–33-year-old Finnish population (8–10% in 2000) [28]. Also in this study, the number of men, especially highly anxious, was significantly lower compared to the number of women.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Translation and validation of the Finnish version of the Index of dental anxiety and fear (IDAF-4C+) among dental students

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundDental fear accounts for 41% of the non-habitual dental attendance such as visiting only when in pain among adult Finns. Dentists should be able to recognize patients in risk for irregular attendance due to dental fear and measure their fear with valid and reliable instrument that capture the multidimensionality of dental fear. The study’s aim was to translate the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF-4C+) into Finnish and test its reliability and validity.MethodsThe study population consisted of dental students in a Finnish university (n = 202). The IDAF-4C+ was back-and forward translated by experts as well as a native English translator, blinded to the original version. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha. Validity of the IDAF-4C+ was assessed against the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) using Spearman correlation coefficients and through the use of Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and between genders using Mann-Whitney U tests.ResultsThe reliability of the IDAF-4C+ was good, the Cronbach’s alpha being 0.88. The IDAF-4C+ and MDAS and their subscales were correlated, with coefficients varying between 0.34 and 0.85. Correlations were stronger with the emotional and physiological components of the IDAF-4C+. EFA revealed one factor explaining 51.7% of the common variance (eigenvalue = 4.6). Women tended to have slightly higher mean scores than men (1.49 vs. 1.36, p = 0.247).ConclusionsThe translation and localization of the Finnish version of the IDAF-4C+ can be considered as providing some evidence of the validity and reliability of the scale. It adds to previously used measures as it considers also the behavioral, cognitive and physiological dimension involved in dental fear.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Translation and validation of the Finnish version of the Index of dental anxiety and fear (IDAF-4C+) among dental students

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…To the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest study to experimentally measure pain sensitivity using standardized equipment and its association with dental fear. The large data allowed for gender‐stratified analyses, as women have consistently reported higher levels of dental fear and pain …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dental fear is prevalent among adult populations . In Finland, up to 50% of adults reported being at least somewhat afraid of dentistry and up to 10% reported high dental fear in nationally representative surveys in 2000 and 2011 . The main consequence of high dental fear is avoidance of dental treatment which may lead to severe deterioration of oral health and oral health‐related quality of life …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pressure pain sensitivity is associated with dental fear in adults in middle age: Findings from the Northern Finland 1966 birth cohort study

Kankaanpää

Auvinen

Rantavuori

et al. 2018

Comm Dent Oral Epid

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction Dental fear is a prevalent problem leading to severe deterioration of oral health and health‐related quality of life. Despite the knowledge that dental fear is closely linked to painful experience, the association between pain sensitivity and dental fear remains unclear. This study was designed to evaluate this association with validated measures of dental fear and pressure pain sensitivity in a cohort population. Methods The study population consisted of a subpopulation of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966. At the age of 46 years, 1736 participants completed the valid and reliable Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and participated in a clinical examination, where their nonorofacial pressure pain sensitivity was evaluated by validated pressure pain threshold (PPT) and tolerance (PPTo) measurements. Gender‐specific Tobit regressions were performed to analyse this association adjusted for smoking and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Results Women with moderate dental fear had 5% (31.3 kPa; P < 0.05), and women with high dental fear had 7% (42.9 kPa; n.s.) lower pressure pain threshold than women with low dental fear. Women with moderate dental fear had 4% (35.4 kPa; P < 0.05) and women with high dental fear had 9% (82.7 kPa; P < 0.01) lower pressure pain tolerance than women with low dental fear. Men with moderate and high dental fear had 3% lower pressure pain tolerance (35.4 kPa; P < 0.05 and 29.6 kPa; n.s., respectively) than men with low dental fear, whereas the associations with pain threshold were not statistically significant. Among women, both anticipatory and treatment‐related dental fears were associated with pain threshold and pain tolerance. Among men, pain threshold was associated with treatment‐related dental fear only and the associations with pain tolerance were not statistically significant. Conclusions Nonorofacial pressure pain threshold and tolerance appeared to be lower in participants with dental fear, which emphasizes the role of pain sensitivity in dental fear.

show abstract

“…Despite progress in behavioral dental science during the past 40 years, epidemiological studies on dental fear indicate that between 10 and 27% of patients have moderate to high dental fear [2][3][4] and 4-6% suffer from more severe, phobic dental fear [2,5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fortunately, dental fear sometimes remits but it may also persist or increase [3,16,17]. In the latter scenarios, psychological and practical problems during dental treatment may occur, not only for the patients but also for the dental health professionals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and evaluation of the Jönköping Dental Fear Coping Model: a health professional perspective

Brahm

Lundgren

Carlsson

et al. 2018

Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Changes in dental fear among Finnish adults: a national survey

Abstract: Dental fear is still common among adult Finns and it seems to depend on age. As the most obvious consequence of dental fear is avoidance of dental care, reducing dental fear should be taken into account when planning and reorienting oral healthcare services.

Cited by 39 publications

References 37 publications

Translation and validation of the Finnish version of the Index of dental anxiety and fear (IDAF-4C+) among dental students

Translation and validation of the Finnish version of the Index of dental anxiety and fear (IDAF-4C+) among dental students

Pressure pain sensitivity is associated with dental fear in adults in middle age: Findings from the Northern Finland 1966 birth cohort study

Development and evaluation of the Jönköping Dental Fear Coping Model: a health professional perspective

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About