A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.
Abstract
An accurate yet quick method to identify those with dental anxiety in general practice.
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Humphris GM, Dyer TA et al. BMC Oral Health 2009; 9: 20 doi:10.1186/1472-6831-9-20
The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) is a concise self-complete questionnaire that can be used to screen for dental anxiety. It comprises five questions only. The aims of this study were 1) to confirm the measurement properties of MDAS, 2) to establish the prevalence of dental anxiety in order to estimate a UK population norm and 3) to investigate the relationship between anxiety and age. A market research company called 6,937 telephone numbers of participants over 18 years of age. The response rate was 14%, although the investigators maintain that 'the potential bias was minimal'. Sophisticated statistical methods affirmed the first study objective. In this sample, the investigators report that 11.6% had high dental anxiety. Dental anxiety was four times more prevalent in the young (18–39 yrs) compared to those who were older (60+ yrs), adjusting for confounders.
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The modified dental anxiety scale: UK general public population norms in 2008 with further psychometrics and effects of age. Br Dent J 208, 71 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.74
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2010.74