Background

Oral health is a key indicator of overall health, well-being and quality of life (WHO 2018). In general, dental health in the Norwegian population is good, yet there are groups that fall outside and who do not receive or seek the necessary dental health care. People with stressful childhood experiences and people with dental treatment anxiety are among these. We need more knowledge about the connection between stressful childhood experiences and dental treatment anxiety.

Purpose

The aim of the project is to promote knowledge of how stressful childhood experiences and dental treatment anxiety are related to oral health. Increased knowledge of stressful childhood experiences and dental treatment anxiety as possible risk factors for impaired oral health may make it easier for dental health professionals to recognize vulnerable patients and to adjust treatment options accordingly. Insight in this field is an important basis for health planning, competence building and the establishment of targeted interventions.

Methods

The study is based on material from the Health Survey in Trøndelag (HUNT4, Ung HUNT4 and HUNT4 Dental Health), as well as information from dental records in the Public Dental Health Service in Trøndelag County Municipality. The strength of this study is access to clinical measurements for dental health and data from a large sample.

Cooperating Institutions and External Financing

• NTNU
• IKO UiO Karolinska Institutet
• County Dental Clinic in Trøndelag
• Agder County Municipalities