Paul Batchelor1, Aubrey Sheiham. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK. paulb@public-health.ucl.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess if the self-perceived risk of oral problems is related to reported dental service usage in university entrants. DESIGN: Self-completed questionnaire. SAMPLE: 1,180 university entrants with an average age of 19.1 years. Fifty-six per cent of the sample were female, 44% males; 16% were medical undergraduates, 27% arts students, and 52% science undergraduates. RESULTS: Females rated their own dental health more positively than males. Overall, the perceived risk of future problems was low. Seventy-five per cent of graduates reported attending dentists on a regular basis. Females were more likely to attend dentists regularly. Those who reported attending on a regular basis rated their dental health higher than those reporting other dental attendance patterns. There was no significant difference between those who reported a regular attendance service pattern and their perceived likelihood of requiring a filling or getting gum disease within the next five years. CONCLUSION: Differences in reported dental services usage were related to the perceived benefits of dental check-ups but not to the risk of future problems.
OBJECTIVE: To assess if the self-perceived risk of oral problems is related to reported dental service usage in university entrants. DESIGN: Self-completed questionnaire. SAMPLE: 1,180 university entrants with an average age of 19.1 years. Fifty-six per cent of the sample were female, 44% males; 16% were medical undergraduates, 27% arts students, and 52% science undergraduates. RESULTS: Females rated their own dental health more positively than males. Overall, the perceived risk of future problems was low. Seventy-five per cent of graduates reported attending dentists on a regular basis. Females were more likely to attend dentists regularly. Those who reported attending on a regular basis rated their dental health higher than those reporting other dental attendance patterns. There was no significant difference between those who reported a regular attendance service pattern and their perceived likelihood of requiring a filling or getting gum disease within the next five years. CONCLUSION: Differences in reported dental services usage were related to the perceived benefits of dental check-ups but not to the risk of future problems.
Authors: John A Updegraff; Cameron Brick; Amber S Emanuel; Roy E Mintzer; David K Sherman Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2014-07-14 Impact factor: 4.267