Prevalence of dental caries based on personality types of 35-44 years old residents in Davangere city.
OBJECTIVE
To assess dental caries experience of different personality types of 35-44 years old residents in Davangere city.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in field setting. Based on Jenkins Activity Survey Questionnaire11used to assess the personality types, a personality questionnaire was designed consisting of 20 items. Questionnaire was used to assess and categorize personality types as Type A, Type B and Type AB. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17. Standard descriptive statistics were generated. Evaluation of data was done using chi square test.


RESULTS
Prevalence of dental caries was 96.6% in Type A personality and 95.9% in Type B personality and this difference was not statistically significant (person chi squarepvalue = 0.53).


CONCLUSIONS
In a cross-sectional survey it is difficult to inspect personality types which is a qualitative variable with some people giving different responses at different occasions. There are chances of social desirability bias. Hence, longitudinal studies should be conducted to ascertain the association between personality types and dental carries.
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Room No. 8, MCC-B Block, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka 577004, India.
Puja C
PC
Yavagal
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Room No. 8, MCC-B Block, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka 577004, India.
Hitashi
H
Singla
DMFT; Dental caries; Jenkins Activity Survey; Personality