Use of coping strategies in dentally fearful and non-fearful people

Methods: A national random sample of 1,083 Australian adults (response rate = 71.4%) completed a mailed questionnaire as part of a nested study within the National Dental Telephone Interview Survey (NDTIS). Data from the nested study were matched to NDTIS data.

Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA) were undertaken on the DCSQ-15. The previously determined five-factor structure of the questionnaire was not confirmed by the EFA, and the CFA showed the model provided a poor fit to the data. A two-factor model identified from the EFA also showed less than adequate model fit in the CFA. Greater use of all coping strategies in the DCSQ-15 was significantly associated with greater dental fear (Pearson r correlations = 0.22–0.60, ps < 0.001). Also, greater use of coping strategies was associated with more avoidance or delay of going to the dentist and with less frequent dental visiting.

Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, coping strategies identified within the DCSQ-15 were associated with greater dental fear and greater dental avoidance. It may be that fearful individuals use coping strategies as an attempt to deal with their fear, but that for most people these attempts are unsuccessful.