ANALYSIS OF DENTAL FEAR AND ITS RELATED FACTORS USING DENTAL FEAR SURVEY AMONG 13 TO 18 YEAR OLDS

Dental fear is one of the main barriers to the use of dental services, leading patients to avoid periodical dental check-ups or treatments, thus making oral health worse, and sometimes becoming the reason that dental professionals fail control the behavior of patients. Therefore, a dental fear must be controlled carefully in order to promote oral health and effective dental treatment. This study was taken from 313 people 13 to 18 year olds to measure their levels of dental fear. After analyzing the characteristics of dental fear and its related factors, as well as other factors which influence dental fear, we acquired the following results. 1. The level of dental fear was high, compared with advanced countries with relatively good oral health. 2. The strongest physiological response experienced during a dental treatment was the tension of muscles. These dental fears were mainly related to anesthetic needles and drills. 3. Levels of dental fear became higher, the number of times for the dental services utilization had reduced, avoid regular dental examination and perceived oral disease symptoms increased. 4. One of the biggest influences on dental fears turns out to be direct painful experiences and beliefs about dentists.