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. 2020 Oct 22;69(3):183–191. doi: 10.1111/idj.12447

Table 3.

Frequency of 31 items and representative quotes of participants (N = 1,317)

Items Frequency (N) Representative participant quotes
1. Q30. Age-specific care to maintain oral health 86
  • (1)

    I feel that key points in the care of the teeth and whole body health have changed as I age

  • (2)

    I am interested in whether the key points of care to bear in mind or to watch out for are different for me and my child
2. Q12. Selection of the proper toothpaste 84
  • (1)

    I don’t know the criteria for how to judge the best toothpaste

  • (2)

    Although various effects are being advertised, I don’t know whether the ingredients contained are really effective
3. Q10. Toothbrushing techniques 79
  • (1)

    Daily toothbrushing is tough for me, so I would like to know if there is a simple way to polish my teeth or another good suggestion

  • (2)

    Various toothbrushes and polishing methods are recommended by different dentists. Why are they not uniform?
4. Q7. Durability of crown and filling materials 72
  • (1)

    I worry about how long a tooth which is receiving treatment will remain in good condition when treatment ends

  • (2)

    I’m worried about what will happen to the teeth that I had treated as a child
5. Q17. Relationship between diet and dental caries/periodontal disease 69
  • (1)

    I want to know how diet relates to caries and periodontal disease

  • (2)

    I would like to know what kind of diet should be followed so that I can stay healthy forever
6. Q20. Prevention of discoloration and staining 61
  • (1)

    My teeth eventually discolored despite periodical treatment for tooth discoloration

  • (2)

    Because I often drink coffee, I am concerned about discoloration of the teeth. I would like to know if there are any preventive methods against discoloration, and any foods or drinks that might cause it
7. Q4. Interval of regular dental check-ups 57
  • (1)

    The interval of regular check-ups recommended by dentists is not constant (apparent individual differences range from every 3 months to every 6 months). I want to know what interval of regular check-up is most appropriate

  • (2)

    The condition of my teeth is worsening with age. In addition, I am concerned about the condition of my gums. However, I have not visited a dentist regularly. How often should I visit the dentist to prevent caries?
8. Q21. Effectiveness of whitening 51
  • (1)

    I would like to know if there are any other merits to tooth whitening than cosmetic

  • (2)

    How long does the whitening effect continue?
8. Q27. Etiology of bruxism 51
  • (1)

    My 18-year-old child has had bruxism since infancy. I am concerned that this is due to some type of stress

  • (2)

    I am concerned about whether my daughter’s bruxism has any relation to the configuration of the facial skeleton
10. Q1. Timing of orthodontic treatment 50
  • (1)

    I felt that there are differences among individual dentists about when to start orthodontic treatment and in treatment methods

  • (2)

    I have been worried about when I should start and when it is too late
10. Q15. Selection of proper toothbrushes including electric toothbrushes 50
  • (1)

    I want to know what type of toothbrush is good for both teeth and gums

  • (2)

    Are electric toothbrushes more effective than manual toothbrushes when used for the same duration?
12. Q8. Benefit of dental implants 48
  • (1)

    I want to know the advantages and disadvantages of implanting foreign objects in the body

  • (2)

    I am interested in implants, but am worried about the risk
12. Q18. Effect of types of food and diet on teeth 48
  • (1)

    Toothbrushing methods are taught from childhood, but little is taught about the importance of chewing food well and food types (soft or hard)

  • (2)

    In the process of changing from deciduous teeth to permanent teeth in the child, what kinds of food are good for raising good permanent teeth? As a parent I care about foods which should be avoided so that children do not develop caries
14. Q16. Toothbrushing techniques for children 44
  • (1)

    I am worried that I cannot instruct my child in good toothbrushing methods

  • (2)

    I finish the toothbrushing of my child every day. I would like to know until what age I should continue to do this
15. Q24. Effectiveness of fluoride application in adults 43
  • (1)

    I know that fluoride is effective for children. I want to know whether it is also effective for adults

  • (2)

    I feel that my teeth are genetically weak. So, I’d like to know if fluoride coating is effective for preventing caries for adults also
16. Q25. Function of crown and filling materials in treatment covered by NHI vs that in treatment not covered by NHI 39
  • (1)

    When I am unsure as to whether I should choose treatment covered by insurance or out-of-pocket treatment, it is good to have data or hints clearly showing the difference

  • (2)

    I think it is better to choose after identifying the advantages and disadvantages of each
17. Q11. Duration of toothbrushing 34
  • (1)

    Which is better–to brush the teeth immediately after eating or to wait a while after eating?

  • (2)

    Does the effect of toothbrushing change if the brushing session is continued for a longer time?
18. Q29. Various treatment policies of different dentists 31
  • (1)

    Some dentists seem to extract teeth with little apparent concern, but I have heard that it is better not to extract teeth

  • (2)

    There are various specialties in dentistry. I want to know to what extent diagnoses differ among dentists in different fields
18. Q31. Standard criteria for the extraction of wisdom teeth 31
  • (1)

    Some have their wisdom teeth extracted, but others do not. I don’t know the criteria to decide which is better

  • (2)

    I was told that it is better to extract wisdom teeth, but I have not had mine extracted yet. For the moment I do not mind, but I am concerned about the possible effects of this when I get older
20. Q2. Need for orthodontic treatment 29
  • (1)

    It would be better if one could foresee the alignment of one’s teeth in adulthood if orthodontics is not performed in childhood

  • (2)

    In addition to tooth loss, I have heard that poor tooth alignment also has adverse effects on posture and other influences
20. Q23. Age range of fluoride application in children 29
  • (1)

    Fluoride has been applied to my child from age 1. I would like to know until what age this treatment should be continued

  • (2)

    Is there an age period when fluoride application is most effective?
22. Q9. Durability of dental implants 26
  • (1)

    I want to know the difference in lifespan between implants and dentures

  • (2)

    I would like to receive implant treatment if it is sustainable for 20–30 years
22. Q26. Durability of crown and filling materials in treatment covered by NHI vs that in treatment not covered by NHI 26
  • (1)

    I have been treated with expensive dental prostheses that were not covered by the NHI. I’d like to know the difference between the cases covered and not covered by this insurance. By how much does the total cost differ?

  • (2)

    When different materials are used, what is the difference in sustainability and appearance?
22. Q28. Harmful effect of bruxism on teeth 26
  • (1)

    I would like to know if bruxism affects tooth alignment

  • (2)

    Does bruxism have an adverse effect on the body? Please tell me if there is any way to prevent bruxism
25. Q13. Need for dental rinse 25
  • (1)

    Does simple flossing or use of toothpaste have sufficient efficacy if dental rinsing is not done?

  • (2)

    There are products that are advertised to have a preventive effect on periodontal disease. I want to know the extent of their preventive effect
26. Q3. Effect of orthodontic treatment on general health 24
  • (1)

    I would like to know to what extent our daily life and physical condition differ according to whether we undergo or do not undergo orthodontic treatment

  • (2)

    My child was diagnosed as having a deep overbite at the time of kindergarten and has been treated with orthodontics. I am worried that this may have some effect on bone development and so on in the future
27. Q6. Characteristics of crown and filling materials 23
  • (1)

    Some people point out that cavity filling materials have adverse effects on the body which differ depending on the type

  • (2)

    Currently my dental caries are being treated, but I want to know the most suitable filling materials for me
28. Q19. Etiology of discoloration and staining 21
  • (1)

    I want to know why the whiteness of teeth varies from person to person

  • (2)

    Is the discoloration of teeth with aging inevitable?
28. Q22. Application of fluoride to teeth 21
  • (1)

    What are differences between applying and not applying fluoride?

  • (2)

    I want to know about the bonding of fluoride with tooth surface
30. Q5. Effectiveness of regular dental check-ups 20
  • (1)

    If the effectiveness can be represented by a numerical value, people would be more enthusiastic about undergoing check-ups

  • (2)

    Can we prevent dental and other diseases by periodic health examinations?
31. Q14. Use of an interdental brush and dental floss 19
  • (1)

    I feel that using an interdental brush or dental floss creates a gap between my teeth

  • (2)

    When I use floss, it often gets caught between my teeth and then easily breaks

NHI, National Health Insurance.