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Three factors predicting irregular versus regular dental attendance: a model fitting to empirical data
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
|December 1, 1980
Summary
Dental anxiety and a preference for keeping teeth significantly predict irregular dental attendance. Family dental health patterns can modify this association, suggesting a complex relationship in dental care habits.
Area of Science:
- Oral health behavior research
- Dental public health
Background:
- Understanding factors influencing regular dental attendance is crucial for preventive oral healthcare.
- Previous research suggests psychological and social factors play a role in dental visit regularity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore a tentative theory predicting dental attendance regularity.
- To investigate the influence of dental anxiety, family dental health patterns, and tooth preservation preference on dental visit regularity.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted in an urbanized village in the Netherlands.
- Loglinear models (logit approach) were used to analyze the associations between predictor variables and dental attendance regularity.
Main Results:
- Dental anxiety combined with a preference for tooth preservation significantly predicted irregular dental attendance.
- Family dental health patterns demonstrated a modifying effect on this association.
- Probabilities and odds of irregular dental attendance were estimated with 95% confidence intervals.
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence that dental attendance regularity can be predicted by dental anxiety and tooth preservation preference, with a modifying influence from family dental health patterns.
- The findings suggest that these factors, at varying levels, offer a degree of accuracy in predicting irregular dental attendance.
- Further research exploring the theory and involved variables is warranted to refine understanding and interventions.