Effect of life course factors on dental fear among adult dental patients attending out-reach clinics in a rural area of Southern India
Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of life course factors on dental fear among adult dental patients attending out-reach clinics in a rural area of South India. The objectives were to measure dental fear and changes in socio-economic status during the life course among the stu...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2022-01-01
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| Series: | Indian Journal of Dental Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijdr.in/article.asp?issn=0970-9290;year=2022;volume=33;issue=1;spage=105;epage=109;aulast=D'Costa |
| Summary: | Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of life course factors on dental fear among adult dental patients attending out-reach clinics in a rural area of South India. The objectives were to measure dental fear and changes in socio-economic status during the life course among the study population and to know whether social mobility reduced/increased dental fear. Methods: Dental fear scale and life course data were collected from 403 respondents. The improvement status of individual life course criteria was categorised into “less/minimal”, “stable”, or “upwardly mobile”. Results: The odds of dental fear in the group showing less or minimal upward social mobility was two times that of the stable group [p = 0.022; 95% confidence interval (C.I): 1.104–3.598], whereas the odds of dental fear in the group showing more or good upward social mobility were 4.5 times that of the stable group [p = 0.001; 95% C.I: 1.928–10.515] when adjusted for covariates, that is, participant age, gender, and education and past history of dental avoidance. Conclusion: Social mobility was found to be a risk indicator for dental fear. Dental services may have been affected even with increased standards of living because of psychological factors such as dental fear. |
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| ISSN: | 0970-9290 1998-3603 |