Dutch students' dental anxiety and occurrence of thoughts related to treatment.
The present study was intended to explore the relationship between individuals' level of dental anxiety and thoughts (both self-statements and mental images) related to dental treatment. Subjects were 210 psychology students (75 males, 135 females). The results showed that 98% of the subjects reported one or more negative or catastrophic thoughts. A significant positive relationship was found between reported severity of anxiety (S-DAI scores) and frequency of thoughts. The results indicate that dental anxiety is associated with the tendency to experience negative or threatening thoughts concerning treatment.
de Jongh
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A
Department of Social Dentistry and Dental Health Education, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
ter Horst
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G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003210:Concept Formation; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008347:Manifest Anxiety Scale; D008875:Middle Aged; D009341:Negativism; D009426:Netherlands; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires