Implicit in many dental fear research studies is the assumption that fear of dental procedures has a negative impact on oral health. This study examined the relationship between fear of dental treatment, avoidance of dental care, and oral health. Two commonly used dental-fear scales (Dental Fear Survey and Dental Anxiety Scale) were used to examine the similarities and differences between the two dental-fear measures, and the relationship of each to oral health. Consistent with Protection Motivation Theory, a curvilinear relationship between fear and oral health was hypothesized. Two efficacy variables were expected to mediate the influence of fear on oral health measures. / This expectation was not supported by the data, however. Statistical analyses, to the contrary, suggested that a linear model provided a more parsimonious model to explain the results. The data, in general, suggested that "scare tactics" would work better than a more moderate, positively stated approach to preventing dental disease, a finding consistent with fear appeal studies, and contrary to recommendations of Protection Motivation Theory. The hypothesis that fear would be mediated by personal efficacy and response efficacy was not supported. / Comparisons of the Dental Fear Survey and the Dental Anxiety Scale indicated that the two scales represent similar constructs and do not significantly differ in predictive value for oral health. The relative specificity regarding dental fear stimuli, however, suggests that the Dental Fear Survey is a better measure for studies that require identification of a specific dental stimulus. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 52-04, Section: B, page: 2312. / Major Professor: Wallace A. Kennedy. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1991.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76394 |
| Contributors | Roman, Alisa Murray., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 135 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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