Dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events: a cross-sectional study based on the Tromsø Study—Tromsø 7

BMC Oral Health

Table 3 The proportion of reported PTEs in the high and low dental anxiety groups

Trauma	MDAS ≥ 19	MDAS < 19	χ^2a	Phi^b	OR	95% CI
Any trauma	82.3	51.4	212.23*	0.10	4.4	3.54–5.44
Dental trauma^c	69.0	22.7	660.49*	0.18	7.6	6.32–9.04
Sexual abuse^d	20.8	9.2	85.21*	0.07	2.6	2.09–3.16
Violence^e	26.4	15.2	53.60*	0.05	2.0	1.66–2.42
Bullying^f	32.1	21.1	39.77*	0.05	1.8	1.48–2.11
Witness^g	16.6	9.1	37.39*	0.04	2.0	1.60–2.50
Medical trauma^h	20.6	10.6	57.38*	0.05	2.2	1.78–2.69
Failure of careⁱ	13.0	6.7	34.58*	0.04	2.1	1.64–2.69

The proportion of reported PTEs in the high and low dental anxiety groups and the strength of the associations (odds ratios) between traumatic events and anxiety level
*p < 0.01
^aYates' correction for continuity; Chi-square tests of independence
^bPhi coefficient [effect size: 0.10 for small effect, 0.30 for medium effect, 0.50 for large effect (Cohen’s criteria 1988)]
^cReceived painful or terrifying medical treatment at the dentist
^dBeen exposed to sexual abuse, i.e. sexual actions against your will
^eBeen exposed to violence (for example, hit, kicked, beaten, robbed or threatened with a firearm)
^fBeen called negative things, marginalised, threatened or bullied by schoolmates, fellow students or coworkers over a long period of time
^gWitnessed someone close to you being exposed to violence or sexual abuse
^hReceived painful medical treatment when hospitalised due to sickness or serious injury
ⁱFailure of care in childhood, i.e. not having received the necessities of food, clothing, protection and care/love from parents/caregivers

ISSN: 1472-6831