Relationship between type D personality and dropout from dental treatment in middle-aged adults

Type D personality—the tendency toward combined negative affectivity and social inhibition— is a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Although Type D personality has been linked to low adherence to diabetic care, it is unclear whether it is related to adherence to dental therapy. Thus, study examined the relationship between Type D personality and withdrawal from dental therapy. A web-based questionnaire was used to compare a treatment dropout group (n = 225) and maintenance group (n = 236). The questionnaire was designed to assess Type D personality traits, reasons for dropout, and respondent sociodemographic characteristics and attitudes. There were no significant differences in the sociodemographic characteristics of the two groups. However, the proportion of respondents with a Type D personality was significantly larger in the dropout group than in the maintenance group (P = 0.04). The most common reasons for dental therapy dropout were “improvement of symptoms” (46.2%) and “busy with business or study” (30.7%). The most frequent attitude reported in the dropout group was negative feelings toward dental practice. In conclusion, Type D personality might be related to dropout from dental therapy.