Changes in dental fear among Finnish adults: a national survey.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in dental fear among adult Finns aged 19 years and over at the beginning of the study in 2000-2011 in a nationally representative sample.


METHODS
The study was based on Health 2000 and 2011 Surveys by the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland. The Health 2000 Survey used a stratified two-stage cluster sampling design (N = 9 922). Those who participated in 2000 (n = 7 964) were invited to participate in 2011. The number of participants was 3 961. Dental fear was assessed by a single question: 'How afraid are you of visiting a dentist?' (not at all, somewhat, very much). Background variables included were age (categories 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, 75+ years), gender, marital status (nonsingle, single), and education (basic, secondary, higher). To match the population sizes in different areas and thus forming a nationally representative data, the data were weighted based on age, gender, and area. General linear modeling for repeated measures was used to evaluate changes in dental fear and associations with background variables.


RESULTS
Between 2000 and 2011, dental fear decreased more often than increased among adults in Finland. Change from being very afraid to not at all afraid of visiting a dentist was most common in the oldest group. For most participants, dental fear remained stable; being very afraid of visiting a dentist was more stable among participants from 35 to 54 years of age than among younger or older participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental fear is still common among adult Finns and it seems to depend on age. As the most obvious consequence of dental fear is avoidance of dental care, reducing dental fear should be taken into account when planning and reorienting oral healthcare services.
Department of Community Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Arja
A
Liinavuori
Department of Community Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Mimmi
M
Tolvanen
Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.|Medical Research Center, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
Vesa
V
Pohjola
Department of Community Dentistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Satu
S
Lahti
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
adults; dental fear; longitudinal study