[An epidemiological study on dental caries of children in the town of Fuji. 3. Correlation between dental caries and personality characteristics].

A statistical study was carried out to evaluate the dental caries of permanent teeth in the elementary school children (208 boys and 165 girls, 373 children of total) in the town of Fuji, Saga Prefectur, which is a mountain village, by means of psychological test and investigation of the living environment of children and their parents. The following results were obtained: 1. In analysis of the relationship between the increase of dental caries and personality characteristics, was shown a tendency toward a low degree of direct of correlation. However, in analysis of quantification type III, it was proven that personality characteristics that as dependency, regression, nervousness and emotional instability related to an increase in dental caries. 2. In the analysis of the relationship between living environments and personality characteristics, a tendency towards a low personality profile was recognized in the children with an increase of dental caries. 3. In pasticvcal, there was a distortion of the personality characteristics of slef-uncontrol and dependency. 4. In comparing the first half of the elementary school year with the last half, a difference in the living environment and personality characteristics was observed during the last half year. 5. The results obtained in this study indicated that early discovery of problems in the living environment and synthetic approach during the first half of the elementary school year were important for the prevention of dental caries of permanent teeth.