Do Subjects from Different Occupational Groups Experience Dental Fear and Anxiety Equally?
Eglė Slabšinskienė,
Karolina Radlinskaitė,
Aistė Kavaliauskienė,
Ingrida Vasiliauskienė,
Jūratė Zūbienė,
Kristina Saldūnaitė-Mikučionienė,
Apolinaras Zaborskis
Affiliations
Eglė Slabšinskienė
Department of Oral Health and Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
Karolina Radlinskaitė
Department of Oral Health and Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
Aistė Kavaliauskienė
Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Odontology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
Ingrida Vasiliauskienė
Department of Oral Health and Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
Jūratė Zūbienė
Department of Oral Health and Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
Kristina Saldūnaitė-Mikučionienė
Department of Oral Health and Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
Apolinaras Zaborskis
Department of Preventive Medicine & Health Research Institute, Faculty of Public Health, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, A. Mickevičiaus 9, LT-44307 Kaunas, Lithuania
Background and Objectives: Research into the relationship between occupation and dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is scarce. This exploratory study aimed to compare the level of DFA and its association with its predictors amongst adults from different occupational groups. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 422 respondents from four occupational groups (physicians, teachers, industry workers, and artists) was carried out. A questionnaire on previous dental experience using the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), Dental Fear Survey (DFS), and Self-Esteem Scale was self-administered electronically. The data analysis involved descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The DFA levels differed significantly across the occupational groups, with the lowest mean scores among physicians (DAS = 9.29 (SE 0.39); DFS-1 = 14.67 (0.63); DFS-2 = 33.94 (1.69)) and the highest mean scores among artists (DAS = 10.74 (0.38); DFS-1 = 17.19 (0.71); DFS-2 = 41.34 (1.92)). A significant impact of self-esteem on DFA was observed among physicians, teachers, and artists, but not among industry workers. Multi-group analysis with SEM revealed differences in the variable association (Chi-squared = 53.75; df = 21; p Conclusions: Individuals from various occupations experience DFA at different levels, and there are different mechanisms underlying their DFA. These findings can provide valuable insights for dental practitioners in developing tailored approaches to reduce the feeling of DFA of their patients.
