Dental Anxiety and Fear in 13-Year-Old School Students and Their Relationship to Dental Caries Despite receiving school dental service programme since primary school, adolescents were reported to have high prevalence of dental anxiety and fear (DAF) and caries. This study aimed to determine prevalence of DAF and its association with caries among the 13-year-old school students. A cross sectional study was conducted at a secondary school in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Data was collected using a validated Malay version of the DAF questionnaires (IDAF4C+). Sociodemographic profiles were obtained and caries prevalence was determined using Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT). Chi-square analysis were conducted with significant level set at p<0.05. A total of 196 Malay schoolchildren participated with higher proportion of males (54.6%). The mean score of IDAF-4C was 2.24 (SD 0.76). The prevalence of DAF was high at 19.9% (95%Cl:14.3%, 25.5%). Having treatment under unsympathetic or unkind dentist was reported as the most anxiety-eliciting [mean (SD)=3.89(1.38)]. Prevalence of dental caries was 48.0% (95%Cl:40.9%, 55.0%). Students with untreated caries, missing and filled teeth were 23%, 2.6% and 39.3% respectively. No significant association between DAF and caries prevalence was observed. Strategies in helping adolescents to cope with their DAF should be employed to prevent the progression of DAF into adulthood.

Introduction: Smoking is a common risk factor for periodontal disease and other chronic diseases. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of smoking among army personnel and its association with periodontal health status. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among randomly selected 233 army personnel in 8th Brigade Infantry, Kelantan. A face validated self-administered Bahasa Malaysia questionnaire was used for data collection. Periodontal examination was done using Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and coded as ‘0’ for healthy; ‘1’ for bleeding observation; ‘2’ for detection of calculus; ‘3’ for probing of 4-5mm pocketing and ‘4’ for probing of 6mm or more pocketing. Results: All respondents (n=233) were male, the majority (92.7%) Malays, not married (60.5%) with the mean (SD) age of 25.8 (5.06) years. The prevalence of smoking among army personnel was 76.0% (95% CI: 70.4, 81.5). Almost all (97.4%) have some degree of periodontal disease. The non-smoker, ex-smoker and smoker groups were highest for having calculus with a percentage of 40.5%, 57.1%, and 57.1%, respectively. No significant association was found between smoking status (ever-smoker and non-smoker) and periodontal pocketing (CPI 0-2 and CPI 3-4) (p=0.960). However, the ever-smokers (93.2%) significantly higher percentage for the need of invasive treatment (CPI >2) compared to the non-smokers (76.2%) (p=0.002). Conclusion: The prevalence of smoking among army personnel in North-East Malaysia was high, with most of them have some degree of periodontal disease. Smoking cessation intervention should be strategized in the military community to reduce the burden of care for chronic diseases.