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Some problems of dental treatment. Part 2. Treatment avoidance: some differences between regular and irregular
Australian Dental Journal
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Irregular dental patients report higher dental anxiety, devalue natural teeth, and find treatment more unpleasant. Improving dental care utilization may be challenging for those with long-term neglect and tooth loss.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Behavioral Dentistry
Background:
- Irregular dental care utilization is common globally.
- Understanding patient attitudes is crucial for improving dental service engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the attitudes and experiences of irregular versus regular dental patients.
- To explore factors influencing dental service utilization and anxiety.
Main Methods:
- Questionnaire-based survey of 54 irregular and 56 regular dental patients in New Zealand.
- Analysis of data on dental anxiety, treatment perception, and value placed on natural teeth.
Main Results:
- Irregular patients exhibit significantly higher dental anxiety.
- Those with irregular attendance devalue natural teeth more and perceive treatment as more unpleasant.
- Findings suggest patient anxiety and perception significantly impact dental visit regularity.
Conclusions:
- Dental anxiety and negative treatment perceptions are key barriers to regular dental care.
- The dental profession can influence public utilization of services.
- Interventions targeting anxiety and perception may increase regular dental visits, though long-term neglect poses challenges.