Research and Development of Psychological Considerations in Dentistry

Despite attempts by the Army to ensure that all personnel receive regular dental care, substantial manpower loss occurs in field situations because of preventable dental emergencies. The purpose of this study is to identify factors which correlate with both starting and completing dental treatment. Dental records at two posts (Fort Bragg and Fort Stewart) were screened to identify three groups of personnel: those who were diagnosed as needing treatment by the Army Dental Service but who did not start such treatment; those who broke off treatment, and those who completed it. Data from those screened were obtained by means of self-administered questionnaires; a total of 243 usable questionnaires were collected at Fort Bragg and 207 at Fort Stewart. In the data analysis, two separate measures of treatment status were used: one based on dental record data, the other on self-report data. Psychological factors which show a positive association with starting and/or completing treatment include: perceptions of Army dentists as technically competent and as concerned with patients; perceptions of dentists in general as concerned with patients; and belief that dental care is important in the Army. Both anxiety with respect to dental care and perceptions of dental care as painful correlate negatively with receipt of care.