title: Phases of dental fear for four treatment procedures among military personnel.
abstract: Dental fear is a significant problem in the delivery of dental care. This study examined the phases of dental fear in 488 military conscripts scheduled to receive four categories of dental treatment for the first time. Results showed that the level of fear increased gradually from the day before treatment and peaked while receiving it. A significant reduction occurred after completing the treatment. Among the different types of procedures, tooth extraction elicited the highest degree of fear, while having the teeth cleaned registered the lowest. Military servicemen showed a pattern of dental fear similar to those other population groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, National University Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Soh
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008885:Military Dentistry; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000523:psychology