The origins of fear of occupational exposure in the clinical dental setting
Chambers, D.W.; Nadershahi, N.A.; Chi, H.
Journal of Dental Education 71(2): 242-248
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-0337 PMID: 17314386 Document Number: 608824
Although there is a growing literature on the incidence of occurrence and reporting of occupational exposures in clinics in dental schools, the contributing factors to fear of such injuries and their dynamic evolution over time remain unstudied. It is hypothesized that fear of occupational exposures is a function of estimated likelihood of such events and their perceived importance. Individual personality factors and situational circumstances are also thought to play a role, although it is believed that these factors recede in importance as students gain direct knowledge through clinical experience. Path analysis methods are applied to longitudinal survey data in a single dental school to confirm these hypotheses.