A non linear analysis of the preference for preservation of the teeth

Data resulting from behavioral dental research, usually categorical or discretized and having unknown measurement and distributional characteristics, often cannot be analyzed with classical multivariate techniques. A non linear principal components technique called multiple correspondence analysis is presented with its corresponding computer program that can handle this kind of data. The model is described as a form of multidimensional scaling. The technique Is applied in order to establish which factors are associated with an Individual's preference for preservation of the teeth.