Gender Differences in Dental Anxiety and Medical Fear in Croatian Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to differentiate anxious from nonanxious adolescents and evaluate gender differences in anxiety with respect to previous negative dental and medical experiences. The purpose was also to evaluate a causative relationship between child medical fear and dental anxiety. STUDY DESIGN: This study sampled 113 Croatian adolescents from 15 to18 years of age. Children's Fear Survey Schedule - Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) was used for the assessment of child dental anxiety regarding visits to the dentist and receiving dental treatment. A modified version of Child Medical Fear Questionnaire (CMFQ-M) was used for evaluation of child medical fear related to medical treatment and doctors in general. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results showed significantly higher dental anxiety (CFSS-DS) and medical fear (CMFQ-M) in adolscent girls (p<0,001) as compared to adolescent boys. A significantly strong correlation between medical fear and dental anxiety in adolescent girls was proved by Pearson's correlation coefficient (p < 0,01). In this study, CMFQ-M and CFSS-DS questionnaires were standardized in the Croatian adolescent population and proved reliable in the estimation of anxious behaviour with respect to specific medical and dental situations.

New toothpaste to deal with dentine hypersensitivity: double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to evaluate a combined effect of active ingredients contained in new toothpaste in reducing dentine hypersensitivity. METHODS: The tested toothpaste contained active ingredients potassium nitrate (5.00%) and zinc citrate (0.50%). Pain to water stimulus and blowing air was reported on hypersensitive teeth and measured using the VAS (Visual Analogue Scale). The degree of pain to water stimulus was detected after each subject drank a few sips of water which was boiled to the room temperature. Data were collected on each subject's dental history. RESULTS: A significant reduction in dentine hypersensitivity (26-29% after 2 weeks versus 40% after 4 weeks) was detected in the tested group. The controls also showed significant reduction to both stimuli, but at lower rate. A statistically significant difference to blowing air and water stimuli showed the highest impact for the tested group after 4 weeks (P = 0.033, P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: This study supports the efficacy of the tested toothpaste in reducing the phenomenon of dentine hypersensitivity after 4 weeks of usage.