• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2011

Introduction The aim of this study, personal trait and their dental care based on experience level of dental fear is to analyze the differences. Catastrophizing is an irrational belief that something is far worse than it actually is. Because it makes it possible to analyze patients' anxious thoughts and tendencies. Methods The Dental Fear Survey(DFS) and Anxious Thoughts and Tendencies(AT&T) were used as measuring tools, and the independent sample t-test and ANOVA were performed on the basis of the mean value of the summated scale scores and the standard deviation. On the factors to dental anxiety, the multiple regression analysis was performed. Results Demographically, the total DFS score was higher in women($25.73{\pm}8.27$) than in men. Also, AT&T was higher in women($31.01{\pm}7.05$) (p<0.05). Dental fear was intense in the group of patients who visited dental clinics only problems($25.29{\pm}8.57$) than in those regular visited($22.29{\pm}7.78$). In relation to dental experiences, the DFS score was significantly higher in children. In many cases, patients experienced therapeutic pains in children($26.40{\pm}9.54$) (p=0.004). Also in many patients, dental anxiety began to occur in adolescence(44.3%). The multiple regression analysis result, it was found that dental treatment pain and their AT&T wielded great influence upon dental fear.