Adolescent dental fear and control: prevalence and theoretical implications.

This study examined the prevalence and etiology of dental fear in a large, representative sample of Singapore adolescents. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding fear of the dentist, dental beliefs and their most recent dental visit. The population prevalence of high dental fear was 115 fearful children per 1000 population (SE = 0.02). Children who reported painful treatment and perceived lack of control at the dentist were 13.7 times more likely to report high fear and 15.9 times less likely to be willing to return to the dentist or dental nurse. The etiology of severe clinical fear appears strongly related to direct conditioning in the presence of pain and vulnerability.

Dental service utilization of disabled children.

This study examines factors influencing the use of dental services by disabled children. A total of 322 disabled children, aged 6 to 18 years, attending nine special schools were randomly selected for a clinical examination. Their parents or guardians were interviewed to determine the child's pattern of dental service use, parental perception of the child's dental needs, and special problems encountered with seeking care. It was found that 68.3% of the children had never visited a dentist within the previous year. The most common reason given for no care was an assumption that "nothing was wrong." The results indicated a low rate of dental service use among the disabled children. A lack of parental dental awareness appeared to be a major contributory factor.

Dental health of disabled children in Singapore.

The oral health status of the disabled has generally been poorer than the general population as the treatment and care afforded to them has been minimal. This paper examines the relationship of the various types of disabilities to dental health status. The dental status of a random sample of 322 disabled children aged between 6 and 18 years was assessed. The children had various disabilities: intellectual, hearing, visual, and musculo-skeletal. Most differences in the prevalence and severity of the dental conditions assessed among the children in the various disability groups were not significant. However, in comparison with normal schoolchildren aged 6 to 18, the disabled children had higher levels of disease and received less dental attention.

Enamel defects in a fluoridated south-east Asian community.

The prevalence and distribution patterns of enamel defects in maxillary incisors was assessed in 194 Singaporean children aged 11-15 years and belonging to three different ethnic groups. All were born and continuously resident in Singapore, which has a tropical climate. The water supply was fluoridated in 1957 at a level of 0.7 ppm. The mouth prevalence of defects was 71.5 per cent and the tooth prevalence was 55.9 per cent; 82 per cent of all affected teeth demonstrated white lesions of various forms. Although there was no sex difference in the prevalence and distribution pattern of defects, some racial differences were observed. The results were compared with data from other studies where the same classification of defects was used.

Prevalence of dental anxiety and fear in children in Singapore.

505 primary school children in Singapore aged 10-14 were surveyed regarding fear of the dentist. Sixty-eight children were classified as having high fear, giving a sex and race adjusted population prevalence rate of 177 fearful children per 1000 population. Females were 2.64 times more fearful than males. There were no significant racial differences in the prevalence rate. Children with high state anxiety are almost three times as likely to report dental fear as those with low state anxiety. Children with trait anxiety scores above the population mean were just as likely as those reporting below the mean to be fearful. Access to dental care is an important intervening variable in dental fear.

A clinical evaluation of high- and low-fear children in Singapore.

Few studies have investigated the effects of fear of the dentist on oral health and quality of care. In this study the oral health of 114 fearful and nonfearful children aged ten to fourteen years, in two representative Singaporean primary schools is compared. Further, the hypothesis that poorer quality of care is provided to fearful children as a result of management problems, is tested. Although there was a significant difference in quality of restorations provided in the different schools, the hypothesis that more fearful children would be in poorer oral health or obtain poorer dental care was not supported. It is postulated that the poor management of fear at this age may result in avoidance when the children are no longer part of a school-based delivery system.

Prevalence of dental fear in young adult Singaporeans.

One-hundred-and-fifteen male military recruits and 176 mostly female first- and second-year students in the National University of Singapore were surveyed regarding their fear of the dentist. Nine of 115 recruits and 36 of 176 university students were classified as having high fear, giving a population prevalence rate between 78 and 208 fearful young adults per 1000 population. Higher educational levels were associated with fear of the dentist. There were no significant racial differences in the prevalence rate in either sample. Higher fear scores were associated with longer intervals between dental visits for the university but not the military population. Efforts are needed to prevent and ameliorate the development of dental fears. Trust and control appear to be major factors associated with dental fears.

Enamel defects in permanent maxillary incisors of Singaporean children.

Defects in development of enamel may occur as a result of a multiplicity of factors. The effect on aesthetics is of significance to the practising dental surgeon. In this connection, the prevalence and distribution of enamel defects in the permanent maxillary incisor teeth was assessed in a group of primary school children resident in Singapore from birth. The results are compared with findings from studies on communities in different countries and with varying levels of fluoride in the water supply.

Professional dental manpower requirements in Singapore--an overview.

Factors affecting professional dental manpower supply are wide-ranging and varied. Currently much attention has been focussed on the number of dentists serving the population. Whilst the difficulties encountered by new graduates in setting up private practice is real, the indicators for manpower need should not depend solely on this factor. Long term considerations of supply and demand factors should be weighed against short term decisions in planning. This paper attempts to examine some of the factors that have a bearing in the demand for dental care and recommendations are made.