Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15644/asc52/2/7
Evaluation of Dental Fear and Anxiety in Displaced Persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Amila Zukanović
orcid.org/0000-0002-2511-7542
; Department for Preventive Dentistry and Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry with Clinics, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Jasmin Habibović
; Public Health Care Center Živinice, Živinice, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Edina Habibović
; Public Health Care Center Gračanica, Gračanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Muhamed Ajanović
; Department for Dental Prosthodontics with Dental Implantology, Faculty of Dentistry with Clinics, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Elmedin Bajrić
; Department for Preventive Dentistry and Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry with Clinics, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
Introduction: In Bosnia and Herzegovina, apart from domicile population, there is a certain number of displaced persons. Most of them are situated in the area of Canton Tuzla. These persons are generally at risk of and being watched for various diseases, including the disease of the orofacial area. Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is also inevitably present in displaced persons, with higher prevalence compared with general population. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the DFA presence and the most common reasons for dental fear and anxiety in displaced persons in our country. Patients and methods: 310 interviewed persons were included in this study, aged 35 to 44 years, from several cities of Canton Tuzla. They were divided in the group of displaced persons (n=153), and the group of domicile inhabitants (n=157). The study participants were interviewed about the DFA presence, as well as about the risk factors for DFA, which was subsequently evaluated by the Modified Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale. Results: A high prevalence of DFA presence was determined in the total sample (38.71%), and particularly in the displaced persons group (57.52%). The results showed that displaced persons rarely visited dentists, mainly when it was necessary (odontalgia), with stronger reactions to factors that could cause DFA appearance. Conclusion: Displaced persons are regarded as one of the highest risk groups for prevalence of DFA. This could be mainly due to poor oral health status,
rare dental office visits and the urgent need for dental treatment, which could lead to vicious circle of mutual strengthening between bad oral health and DFA appearance.
Keywords
Refugees; Dental Anxiety; Oral Health; Oral Hygiene
Hrčak ID:
201277
URI
Publication date:
12.6.2018.
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