Effects of Periodontal Disease Knowledge and Awareness of Scaling on Scaling Fear in Adults

Background: Gingivitis and periodontal disease are common conditions requiring early management. Regular scaling prevents periodontal disease but is often avoided due to pain and discomfort, leading to worsened conditions. Dental fear, particularly related to scaling, is a significant barrier; howev...

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Main Authors: Seul-gi Kim, Soon-Ryun Lim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Korean Society of Dental Hygiene Science 2025-03-01
Series:치위생과학회지
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Online Access:https://www.jkdhs.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.17135/jdhs.2025.25.1.11
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author Seul-gi Kim
Soon-Ryun Lim
author_facet Seul-gi Kim
Soon-Ryun Lim
author_sort Seul-gi Kim
collection DOAJ
description Background: Gingivitis and periodontal disease are common conditions requiring early management. Regular scaling prevents periodontal disease but is often avoided due to pain and discomfort, leading to worsened conditions. Dental fear, particularly related to scaling, is a significant barrier; however, few studies have explored it. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence scaling fear in adults. Understanding these factors will enable dental professionals to mitigate these fears and promote regular scaling. Methods: An online survey was conducted, targeting adults aged 19 years and older with prior scaling experience. Using convenience sampling, 270 responses were analyzed. The survey included 30 items measuring general characteristics, periodontal disease knowledge, scaling awareness, and scaling fear. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) with multiple regression to identify factors affecting scaling fear. Results: The mean scores were 4.76±1.35 for periodontal disease knowledge, 3.82±0.55 for scaling awareness, and 2.87±0.63 for scaling fear. Scaling awareness (β=–0.236, p<0.001), periodontal disease knowledge (β=–0.157, p=0.01), and the number of scaling sessions in the past two years (β=–0.147, p<0.05) significantly influenced scaling fear. Conclusion: Scaling awareness and periodontal disease knowledge are key to reducing fear of scaling. Dental professionals should educate patients and provide clear explanations to build trust and create positive experiences. Oral health education programs should be expanded to improve awareness, reduce fear, and foster regular scaling attendance.
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spelling doaj-art-8d5f60f6175e4992966039d1f5a2e7de2025-08-20T02:48:23ZengThe Korean Society of Dental Hygiene Science치위생과학회지2233-76792025-03-01251111810.17135/jdhs.2025.25.1.11Effects of Periodontal Disease Knowledge and Awareness of Scaling on Scaling Fear in AdultsSeul-gi Kim0https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3410-2917Soon-Ryun Lim1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5654-1995Department of Dental Hygiene, Graduate School Namseoul University, Cheonan 31020, KoreaDepartment of Dental Hygiene, Namseoul University, Cheonan 31020, KoreaBackground: Gingivitis and periodontal disease are common conditions requiring early management. Regular scaling prevents periodontal disease but is often avoided due to pain and discomfort, leading to worsened conditions. Dental fear, particularly related to scaling, is a significant barrier; however, few studies have explored it. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence scaling fear in adults. Understanding these factors will enable dental professionals to mitigate these fears and promote regular scaling. Methods: An online survey was conducted, targeting adults aged 19 years and older with prior scaling experience. Using convenience sampling, 270 responses were analyzed. The survey included 30 items measuring general characteristics, periodontal disease knowledge, scaling awareness, and scaling fear. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) with multiple regression to identify factors affecting scaling fear. Results: The mean scores were 4.76±1.35 for periodontal disease knowledge, 3.82±0.55 for scaling awareness, and 2.87±0.63 for scaling fear. Scaling awareness (β=–0.236, p<0.001), periodontal disease knowledge (β=–0.157, p=0.01), and the number of scaling sessions in the past two years (β=–0.147, p<0.05) significantly influenced scaling fear. Conclusion: Scaling awareness and periodontal disease knowledge are key to reducing fear of scaling. Dental professionals should educate patients and provide clear explanations to build trust and create positive experiences. Oral health education programs should be expanded to improve awareness, reduce fear, and foster regular scaling attendance.https://www.jkdhs.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.17135/jdhs.2025.25.1.11periodontal disease knowledgescaling awarenessscaling fear
spellingShingle Seul-gi Kim
Soon-Ryun Lim
Effects of Periodontal Disease Knowledge and Awareness of Scaling on Scaling Fear in Adults
치위생과학회지
periodontal disease knowledge
scaling awareness
scaling fear
title Effects of Periodontal Disease Knowledge and Awareness of Scaling on Scaling Fear in Adults
title_full Effects of Periodontal Disease Knowledge and Awareness of Scaling on Scaling Fear in Adults
title_fullStr Effects of Periodontal Disease Knowledge and Awareness of Scaling on Scaling Fear in Adults
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Periodontal Disease Knowledge and Awareness of Scaling on Scaling Fear in Adults
title_short Effects of Periodontal Disease Knowledge and Awareness of Scaling on Scaling Fear in Adults
title_sort effects of periodontal disease knowledge and awareness of scaling on scaling fear in adults
topic periodontal disease knowledge
scaling awareness
scaling fear
url https://www.jkdhs.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.17135/jdhs.2025.25.1.11
work_keys_str_mv AT seulgikim effectsofperiodontaldiseaseknowledgeandawarenessofscalingonscalingfearinadults
AT soonryunlim effectsofperiodontaldiseaseknowledgeandawarenessofscalingonscalingfearinadults