The vicious cycle of dental fear: exploring the interplay between oral health, service utilization and dental fear

BACKGROUND: Based on the hypothesis that a vicious cycle of dental fear exists, whereby the consequences of fear tend to maintain that fear, the relationship between dental fear, self-reported oral health status and the use of dental services was explored. METHODS: The study used a telephone interview survey with interviews predominantly conducted in 2002. A random sample of 6,112 Australian residents aged 16 years and over was selected from 13 strata across all States and Territories. Data were weighted across strata and by age and sex to obtain unbiased population estimates. RESULTS: People with higher dental fear visited the dentist less often and indicated a longer expected time before visiting a dentist in the future. Higher dental fear was associated with greater perceived need for dental treatment, increased social impact of oral ill-health and worse self-rated oral health. Visiting patterns associated with higher dental fear were more likely to be symptom driven with dental visits more likely to be for a problem or for the relief of pain. All the relationships assumed by a vicious cycle of dental fear were significant. In all, 29.2% of people who were very afraid of going to the dentist had delayed dental visiting, poor oral health and symptom-driven treatment seeking compared to 11.6% of people with no dental fear. CONCLUSION: Results are consistent with a hypothesised vicious cycle of dental fear whereby people with high dental fear are more likely to delay treatment, leading to more extensive dental problems and symptomatic visiting patterns which feed back into the maintenance or exacerbation of existing dental fear

Geographical classifications to guide rural health policy in Australia

The Australian Government's recent decision to replace the Rural Remote and Metropolitan Area (RRMA) classification with the Australian Standard Geographical Classification - Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) system highlights the ongoing significance of geographical classifications for rural health policy, particularly in relation to improving the rural health workforce supply. None of the existing classifications, including the government's preferred choice, were designed specifically to guide health resource allocation, and all exhibit strong weaknesses when applied as such. Continuing reliance on these classifications as policy tools will continue to result in inappropriate health program resource distribution. Purely 'geographical' classifications alone cannot capture all relevant aspects of rural health service provision within a single measure. Moreover, because many subjective decisions (such as the choice of algorithm and breakdown of groupings) influence a classification's impact and acceptance from its users, policy-makers need to specify explicitly the purpose and role of their different programs as the basis for developing and implementing appropriate decision tools such as 'rural-urban' classifications. Failure to do so will continue to limit the effectiveness that current rural health support and incentive programs can have in achieving their objective of improving the provision of health care services to rural populations though affirmative action programs

A review of the benefits and drawbacks to virtual field guides in today’s Geoscience higher education environment

Virtual Field Guides are a way for educators to tackle the growing issue of funding pressures in areas of higher education, such as geography. Virtual Field Guides are however underutilised and can offer students a different way of learning. Virtual Field Guides have many benefits to students, such as being more inclusive, building student skills and confidence in a controlled environment pre fieldtrip and can increase engagement in the topic studied. There are also benefits to the educator, such as reduced cost, more efficient students on fieldwork tasks and the ability to tailor and update their field guides to suit their needs. However there are drawbacks in the challenge of creation and their outcome as educational standalone tools. This paper reviews the literature around the benefits and draw backs to the creation and incorporation of virtual field guides in geoscience education. © 2017, The Author(s)

Geography : journal of the Geographical Association.

Latest issue consulted: Vol. 92, pt. 2 (summer 2007).Description based on: Vol. 70, no. 306, pt. 1 (Jan. 1985); title from cover.Whole numbering omitted, 2000-Mode of access: Internet.Issues for 1927-<Nov. 1953> published: London : London Geographical Institute

Editorial

There is a strong sense that we live in challenging times, politically, economically, environmentally and geographically. The fact that there are multiple periods in history, both recent and longer ago, where the same notion could be applied does not help pupils who are growing up in a time of uncertainty. Indeed, I remember growing up in the early 1970s and the thrill of having to cook and eat by candlelight because of power cuts and the three day working wee

Teaching geography to less able 11-14 year olds Report of a survey carried out by the working group on new techniques and methods in teaching geography

SIGLELD:f83/3294 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Primary geography matters Change in the primary curriculum; resources from workshops and keynote lectures

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:q94/05073 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Leading geography National standards for geography leaders in primary schools

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:f99/3161 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Leading geography National standards for geography leaders in secondary schools

Available from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:f99/3271 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

ICT An enquiry approach

Includes bibliographical referencesAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:m03/32412 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo