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ResumoObjectivoO objectivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência da ansiedade dentária, nos utentes das Clínicas Pedagógicas de Medicina Dentárias da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Fernando Pessoa (FCS UFP), procurando contribuir para a compreensão dos factores etiológicos, que eventualmente, induzem o surgimento deste distúrbio patológico.Materiais e MétodosUma amostra de 150 utentes, com idade entre 15 e 64 anos, atendidos nas referidas clínicas entre os meses de Janeiro e Março de 2007, foi constituída de forma não probabilística, por quotas – género e faixa etária – elaboradas com base nos dados do último Recenseamento Geral da População Portuguesa, em 2001. A ansiedade e a fobia dos pacientes foram avaliadas através de uma escala de medição de ansiedade e outra para fobia dentária: Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) e Dental Fear Survey (DFS) – versões Portuguesas, aplicadas num questionário que continha ainda uma escala de classificação socio económica (Classificação de Graffard).ResultadosComo resultados mais relevantes salienta-se que, entre os 150 utentes inquiridos, 28,7% são “muito ansiosos ou fóbicos”, e 24% são “ansiosos”. Genericamente, a DFS parece mostrar um nível de ansiedade superior ao identificado pela MDAS.ConclusõesA maioria dos indivíduos classificados como “muito ansiosos” assume ter sido alvo de experiência anterior de trauma (22%), faltar às consultas “às vezes ou frequentemente” (17%) e recorrer a tratamentos dentários apenas “quando têm dores” (20%). Estes expressaram ainda que adiavam e faltavam às consultas, pelo medo, bem como sentiam maior temor perante os estímulos agulha e broca.AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental anxiety in patients of Dental Medicine Clinics of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University Fernando Pessoa, in order to make a contribution to the understanding of the etiological factors that may eventually lead to this pathological disorder.Materials and MethodsA sample of 150 patients, 15 to 64 years old, attending the clinics between the months of January till March, 2007, was built nonprobabilistically by quotas – gender and age groups – based on the last Portuguese general census data, 2001. Anxiety and phobia assessment was performed using scales to measure anxiety and dental phobia: Modified Dental Dental Fear (MDAS) and Anxiety Scale Survey (DFS) – Portuguese versions, applied with a questionnaire that also contained a socio economic classification (Graffard Classification).ResultsAs most relevant results, among the 150 patients, 28.7% are “very anxious or phobic”, and 24% are “anxious”. Generally, DFS shows higher levels of anxiety than the ones identified by MDAS.ConclusionsMost patients classified as “very anxious” assumed to have been the target of previous trauma experience (22%), “sometimes or often” miss consultations (17%) and only recur to dental treatments “when in pain” (20%). These patients said to have postponed and missed consultations because of fear, and that felt greater panic facing needle and drill stimuli.

Multifunctionality in agriculture has received a lot of attention the last decade from researchers and policy-makers alike, perhaps most notably evidenced by the important changes made to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. While the concept has been embraced by environmentalists envisioning positive impulses for decoupling and a range of local stakeholders recognizing implicit marketing opportunities involved, it has also been criticized as a mere argument in favour of disguised protectionism. Problematic in this discussion is the lack of an operationalising framework for the assessment of multiple functions. In this paper, we discuss such a framework and the role it can play in the decision-making process. Focusing on a case study about olive farming on sloping and mountainous land in northeastern Portugal, the contribution discusses methods for studying multiple functions of agro-ecosystems. While function assessment is presented from a research perspective, its relevance for stakeholders is also stressed here. By using the metaphor of a house, the method could appeal to a wide range of actors. In the case study, we conclude that olive groves on sloping and mountainous land particularly fall short in supplying ecological functions. They do however contribute significantly to the local economy, generate employment and perform an important role in maintaining the cultural landscape and identity, and are thus vital to regional development and to stop outmigration of the population. Policy-makers could use the function assessment tool to design effective cross-compliance rules and relevant agro-environmental measures to reinforce ecological and social functions, and to communicate ideas to other stakeholders. As such, it provides an extension of public debate and can reinforce decision-making by visualizing trends, development alternatives or scenarios. The role of research in this method is to facilitate dialogue between stakeholder groups and to feed the process with relevant indicators.