Dentophobia-latent Component Factor Analysis of Dental Concerns Assessment Scale

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dentophobia (DF) is unreasonable, irrational, excessive, and socially limiting fear of specific situations related to dental care. The condition is part of the ultimate and pathological cluster of dental anxiety. AIM: Objectives of the present study are: (1) Identification of latent factors in the psychological manifestation of dental fear, anxiety, and phobia and (2) comparison of these factors with the degree of manifestation of the psychological construct and gender differences. METHODS: A cross-sectional online-based survey was conducted. The primary sociological information is collected through a direct individual survey including 32 items divided into four sections. Statistical data processing includes descriptive statistics, non-parametric hypothesis tests, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis for detection and verification of latent factors, internal validity analysis. DISCUSSION: The presence of a latent factor conditionally describing “pain related fear” is a possible reason for the overlap of DF with other panic disorders related to medical care described in the literature. A study performed for a wider and diverse population sample would produce more credible findings from which to draw more accurate conclusions. CONCLUSION: This study provides a better understanding of how to identify patients who are prone to, or already suffer from dental anxiety and allows dentists and health-care professionals to provide better health. The analysis of this study discovered a significant difference between latent factors from the construct encompassing the pain related fear and social fear.