Does perceived risk of oral problems influence the use of dental services in university entrants?
OBJECTIVE
To assess if the self-perceived risk of oral problems is related to reported dental service usage in university entrants.


METHODS
Self-completed questionnaire.


METHODS
1,180 university entrants with an average age of 19.1 years. Fifty-six per cent of the sample were female, 44% males; 16% were medical undergraduates, 27% arts students, and 52% science undergraduates.


RESULTS
Females rated their own dental health more positively than males. Overall, the perceived risk of future problems was low. Seventy-five per cent of graduates reported attending dentists on a regular basis. Females were more likely to attend dentists regularly. Those who reported attending on a regular basis rated their dental health higher than those reporting other dental attendance patterns. There was no significant difference between those who reported a regular attendance service pattern and their perceived likelihood of requiring a filling or getting gum disease within the next five years.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in reported dental services usage were related to the perceived benefits of dental check-ups but not to the risk of future problems.
Batchelor
Paul
P
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK. paulb@public-health.ucl.ac.uk
Sheiham
Aubrey
A
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001154:Art; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012586:Science / Q000193:education; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013333:Student Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors