Sociodemographic correlates of dental anxiety

Abstract

In a survey comprising 620 30-40-yr-old inhabitants of a Dutch town, dental anxiety was measured along with some sociodemographic variables. The data were analyzed in an attempt to reveal associations between sociodemographically determined groups of respondents and their scores on the different measurements of dental anxiety. Women reported higher dental anxiety levels than men, with the exception of body damage anticipation anxiety. The rank order of birth seemed to have no influence. Divorced men and women reported a higher anxiety level on two of the anxiety measurements, but the association appeared to be weak. A lower level of education, irregular dental attendance, and edentulousness appeared to be associated with a higher level of dental anxiety.