Table 5

Logistic regression model of characteristics associated with a vicious cycle profile (having delayed dental visiting, dental problems and symptom-driven treatment)

Odds ratio

Confidence interval

P-value

Fear of going to the dentist

Not afraid (Ref.)

1

A little afraid

1.24

0.97–1.59

0.087

Quite afraid

1.40

0.96–2.04

0.079

Very afraid

3.33

2.67–4.15

<0.001

Sex

Female (Ref.)

1

Male

1.96

1.63–2.36

<0.001

Age

16–24 (Ref.)

1

25–39

1.28

0.95–1.73

0.100

40–64

0.99

0.74–1.32

0.918

65+

1.10

0.75–1.61

0.642

Dentate status

Edentulous (Ref.)

1

Dentate

1.71

1.25–2.35

0.001

Employment

Student/retired (Ref.)

1

Unemployed

1.49

1.09–2.03

0.013

Part-time

1.48

1.05–2.07

0.023

Full-time

1.62

1.18–2.22

0.003

Annual household income

Less than $20,000 (Ref.)

1

$20,001 – $50,000

0.64

0.50–0.82

<0.001

$50,001 – $80,000

0.48

0.36–0.64

<0.001

Greater than $80,000

0.32

0.23–0.45

<0.001

Armfield et al. BMC Oral Health 2007 7:1   doi:10.1186/1472-6831-7-1