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Journal of Applied Oral Science :... 2010
Topics: Adult; Child; Dental Anxiety; Humans; Manifest Anxiety Scale; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 20485918
DOI: 10.1590/s1678-77572010000200001 -
BMJ Open Apr 2021Dental anxiety remains widespread among children, may continue into adulthood and affect their oral health-related quality of life and clinical management. The aim of...
OBJECTIVES
Dental anxiety remains widespread among children, may continue into adulthood and affect their oral health-related quality of life and clinical management. The aim of the study was to explore the trend of children's dental anxiety over time and potential risk factors.
DESIGN
Longitudinal study.
METHODS
Children aged between 5 and 12 years were investigated with the Chinese version of face version of Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) and Frankl Behavior Rating scale from 2008 to 2017, and influential factors were explored.
RESULTS
Clinical data were available from 1061 children, including 533 (50.2%) male participants and 528 (49.8%) female participants. The total CFSS-DS scores ranged from 16 to 66, with a mean of 24.8±10.3. The prevalence of dental anxiety is 11.59%. No significant differences in total CFSS-DS scores between girls and boys were found. According to the Frankl scale, 238 children were allocated to the uncooperative group and the remaining 823 children were allocated to the cooperative group. Scores of CFSS-DS were negatively correlated with the clinical behaviour level of Frankl. Children aged 11-12 years old had significantly decreased scores compared with other age groups, and there was a decline in the scores of the group aged 8-10 years old over time. The factor analysis divided 15 items of CFSS-DS into four factors, and the total scores of 'less invasive oral procedures' items belonging to factor III decreased significantly over time in the group aged 8-10 years old.
CONCLUSIONS
Age is a significant determinant for children's dental anxiety, and dental anxiety outcomes have improved for Chinese children aged 8-10 years. This study is one of the few reports on changes of children's dental anxiety in a new era of information, but the results may be extrapolated to other populations with caution.
Topics: Adult; Child; Child Behavior; Child, Preschool; China; Dental Anxiety; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33863714
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043647 -
BMC Oral Health Dec 2021Dental anxiety is associated with negative experiences of dental treatment and dental-visiting behavior. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) is widely used for...
BACKGROUND
Dental anxiety is associated with negative experiences of dental treatment and dental-visiting behavior. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) is widely used for assessing dental anxiety. The study aims to establish the psychometric properties of a Chinese version of the MDAS based on the Taiwan sample (i.e., T-MDAS).
METHODS
The T-MDAS and dental-visiting behavior and experience were assessed for 402 adult subjects recruited from community and clinical sites. The following psychometric properties were assessed: (a) internal consistency, (b) temporal stability, (c) criterion-related validity (i.e., the association with the score of Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear, IDAF-4C), (d) discrimination validity (i.e., the difference in scores between the subjects with and without a habit of a regular dental visit, and (e) the construct validity from a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
RESULTS
The T-MDAS showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.88) and temporal stability (ρ = 0.69, p < 0.001). The score was significantly correlated with the score of the IDAF-4C (ρ = 0.76, p < 0.001) and differed between subjects who regularly visited a dentist or not, supporting good criterion-related validity and discrimination validity. Results from CFA supports good construct validity. Furthermore, higher dental anxiety was related to the lack of a regular dental visit, feeling pain during treatment, and feeling insufficient skills and empathy of dentists. A higher proportion of high-dental anxiety subjects in female subjects (8.5%), compared to male subjects (5.0%), was noted.
CONCLUSIONS
The T-MDAS is a valid tool for assessing adult dental anxiety. The score is highly associated with dental-visiting behavior and experience of dental patients.
Topics: Adult; Dental Anxiety; Fear; Female; Humans; Male; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires; Taiwan
PubMed: 34920712
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-021-02017-w -
Journal of Applied Oral Science :... 2009Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) is considered to be well accepted, both by children and by adult patients. The objective of this review is to present and discuss... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) is considered to be well accepted, both by children and by adult patients. The objective of this review is to present and discuss the evidence regarding the acceptability of ART, from the patient's perspective. Aspects related to dental anxiety/fear and pain/discomfort have been highlighted, to facilitate better understanding and use of the information available in the literature.
CONCLUSIONS
The ART approach has been shown to cause less discomfort than other conventional approaches and is, therefore, considered a very promising "atraumatic" management approach for cavitated carious lesions in children, anxious adults and possibly, for dental-phobic patients.
Topics: Dental Anxiety; Dental Atraumatic Restorative Treatment; Dental Caries; Dental Cavity Preparation; Dental Restoration, Permanent; Humans; Pain; Patient Satisfaction
PubMed: 21499661
DOI: 10.1590/s1678-77572009000700015 -
European Journal of Oral Sciences Dec 2022We evaluated associations between dental anxiety and four temperament dimensions: effortful control, extraversion/surgency, negative affect and orienting sensitivity...
We evaluated associations between dental anxiety and four temperament dimensions: effortful control, extraversion/surgency, negative affect and orienting sensitivity among 2558 parents in the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study. Dental anxiety was measured with the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, and temperament with the Adult Temperament Questionnaire. Associations between dental anxiety and temperament dimensions were modelled using linear and logistic (cut-off ≥ 19 for high dental anxiety) regression analyses adjusting for general anxiety and depressive symptoms, age and education. In women and men, dental anxiety was positively associated with negative affect (women β = 1.10; 95%CI 1.06-1.15; men β = 1.11; 95%CI 1.05-1.18) and negatively associated with effortful control (women β = 0.95; 95% CI0.92-0.99, men β = 0.90; 95% CI 0.85-0.95). In women, extraversion/surgency was also positively associated with dental anxiety (β = 1.04; 95%CI 1.00-1.08). For high dental anxiety, negative affect in women (OR = 2.00; 95%CI 1.31-3.06) and men (OR = 5.21; 95%CI 1.72-15.83) and for extraversion/surgency in women (OR = 1.50; 95%CI 1.01-1.47) associated positively with dental anxiety, but for effortful control, the association was not statistically significant. Dentists should understand that temperament dimensions affect the risk for dental anxiety more strongly than general anxiety or depressive symptoms. Dimensions negative affect and extraversion/surgency may increase and effortful control decrease the risk.
Topics: Female; Humans; Cohort Studies; Dental Anxiety; Parents; Temperament; Emotions
PubMed: 36302720
DOI: 10.1111/eos.12897 -
Global prevalence of early childhood dental fear and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of Dentistry Mar 2024The objective of this review is to determine the global prevalence of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) in early childhood and identify its related factors. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review is to determine the global prevalence of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) in early childhood and identify its related factors.
METHODS
The systematic review utilized three common English-language databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science). Two independent researchers performed a systematic search to include observational studies on young children published from 2000 to 2023. They extracted information on prevalence of DFA, assessment tools used, study sites, respondents, and children's dental visit experiences.
RESULTS
A total of 2,895 studies were identified, and 25 studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis. The pooled prevalence of DFA among 2- to 6- year-old children was estimated to be 30 % (95 % CI=25, 36). Children without dental visit experience (OR=1.37, 95 % CI=1.18, 1.59) and children with caries experiences (OR=1.18, 95 % CI=1.09, 1.27) had higher odds of experiencing DFA compared to those with dental visit experience or caries-free status. The most commonly used assessment tools in the included studies were the Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale (32 %, 8/25), Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (20 %, 5/25), and Dental Anxiety Question (20 %, 5/25).
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review reveals that approximately one-third of young children globally experience DFA. Children who lack dental visit experience or have caries experiences are at increased risk of DFA. Clinicians can use this information to make informed decisions regarding dental care provision for young children.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
This study provides comprehensive information on the global prevalence of dental fear and anxiety and its associated factors in early childhood. The findings can assist clinicians in understanding and addressing DFA in their dental care approach for young children.
REGISTRATION
PROSPERO (CRD42023446464).
Topics: Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Anxiety Disorders; Dental Anxiety; Dental Caries; Prevalence; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 38246307
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104841 -
BMC Oral Health Nov 2021The objectives of the study were to describe the prevalence of dental anxiety and the possible associations between dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events in an...
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of the study were to describe the prevalence of dental anxiety and the possible associations between dental anxiety and potentially traumatic events in an adult population.
METHOD
The study is based on cross-sectional questionnaire data from the 7th wave of the Tromsø Study, a study of the adult general population in the municipality of Tromsø carried out in 2015-2016. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale was used to measure dental anxiety across potentially traumatic events, oral health, dental attendance (avoidance) and current mental health symptoms (Hopkins Symptom Checklist). Individuals with high and low dental anxiety scores were compared to investigate differences in the distribution of potentially traumatic events, current mental health symptoms, avoidance, sex and oral health, and hierarchical multivariable regression was used to study the influence of traumatic events on dental anxiety.
RESULTS
High dental anxiety was reported by 2.9% of the sample and was most prevalent among females and in the youngest age groups. Individuals with high dental anxiety reported more current mental health symptoms, and they were more likely to report poorer oral health and more irregular dental visits compared to individuals with no or lower dental anxiety scores. Concerning traumatic events, the reporting of painful or frightening dental treatment showed the biggest difference between those with high dental anxiety and low dental anxiety scores (a moderate effect). The hierarchical regression model indicated that reporting sexual abuse, traumatic medical treatment in hospital and childhood neglect significantly predicted dental anxiety in the step they were entered in, but only sexual abuse remained a significant individual contributor after controlling for current mental health symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of high dental anxiety was lower than expected (2.9%), but dentally anxious individuals expressed a high burden of mental health symptoms, poor oral health and the avoidance of dental care. The regression analysis indicated that experiences with sexual abuse could affect dental anxiety levels in the absence of generalised symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Topics: Adult; Anxiety; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Anxiety; Depression; Female; Humans; Mental Disorders; Oral Health; Prevalence
PubMed: 34814891
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-021-01968-4 -
International Journal of Paediatric... Nov 2012Dental anxiety is a common problem, which can affect people of all ages, but appears to develop mostly in childhood and adolescence. Childhood dental anxiety is not only... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dental anxiety is a common problem, which can affect people of all ages, but appears to develop mostly in childhood and adolescence. Childhood dental anxiety is not only distressing for the child and their family but is also associated with poor oral health outcomes and an increased reliance on costly specialist dental services.
AIM
This article will consider the prevalence, development, and implications of children's dental anxiety. It will also discuss the opportunities for and challenges of psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy aimed at the reduction of dental anxiety in children.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Dental Anxiety; Dental Care for Children; Humans; Professional-Patient Relations; Psychology, Child
PubMed: 22221141
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2011.01208.x -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2020The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to investigate the fear level of kindergarten children in the general population during dental outreach in a familiar...
The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to investigate the fear level of kindergarten children in the general population during dental outreach in a familiar kindergarten setting, and to explore the factors associated with the dental fear of kindergarten children. Consecutive sampling method was used to select kindergarten children aged 3 to 5 to participate in a questionnaire survey and an outreach service. A behavioural observation type of instrument for dental fear and anxiety assessment-Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale (FBRS)-was chosen to investigate the fear level of the children. Bivariate analyses between various factors and children's dental fear and anxiety were carried out using Chi-square test. A total of 498 children participated in this study. Almost half (46%) of the children have had caries experience, and the mean dmft score was 2.1 ± 3.4. The prevalence of dental caries was 32%, 43%, and 64% in the 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, respectively. Only 4% of the children scored negatively for dental fear and anxiety (95% CI 2.3%-5.7%). Children at three years of age displayed more dental fear and anxiety than children of older ages, but the difference in dental fear and anxiety among the genders and caries status was not statistically significant. Most of the children (92%) brushed daily, but only 20% of them used toothpaste. Most (85%) of them had never visited the dentist, and over 70% of them were mainly taken care by their parents. High levels of positive and cooperative behaviour and low levels of fear were found in this population. No statistical significance was found between the child's dental fear and any factors except age. Children generally displayed low fear or anxiety levels in a dental outreach consisting of a non-invasive oral examination and preventive treatment in a familiar kindergarten setting. Conducting regular outreach dental services to kindergartens by providing oral examination and simple remineralisation therapies could be a promising strategy to not only control childhood caries, but also manage and reduce dental fear and encourage long term dental attendance in line with the medical model.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Anxiety; Dental Caries; Female; Hong Kong; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 32325972
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082827 -
Medical Science Monitor : International... May 2022BACKGROUND Fear has always been closely linked to dentistry but it could be intensified by the objective risks imposed by the pandemic. The objective of this study was...
BACKGROUND Fear has always been closely linked to dentistry but it could be intensified by the objective risks imposed by the pandemic. The objective of this study was to determine the profile of the frightened dental patient during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine measures taken by dentists to reduce fear and increase security among their patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS An anonymous online survey was conducted between March 15 and April 15, 2021. The respondents were 2060 adult citizens of the Republic of Serbia. In addition to demographic data, data related to the COVID-19 pandemic, dental fear, and attitudes and fear of dental interventions during the ongoing pandemic were compiled. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics: the chi-square test and Pearson's coefficient. RESULTS Seventy percent of the respondents felt some level of fear of the ongoing pandemic, 50% felt fear of going to a dentist during the pandemic, 20% considered a dental office a hotspot for the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and 43% would visit their dentist only in the case of emergency. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the attitudes and behavior of people pertaining to visits to dental offices. Identifying frightened patients and their opinions and fears at this challenging time would make it easier for dentists to include protocols in their everyday practice to increase a sense of security among their patients, such as implementing preventive measures in front of the patients, ensuring an empty waiting room, and providing telephone consultations.
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Dental Anxiety; Dentists; Humans; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35514076
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.936535