Association between dental fear and dental caries among pediatric dental patients

Abstract

Background: Dental fear in children is often considered to be developmentally normative. However, when developmentally appropriate fear gives way to significant dental anxiety. The associated avoidance has the potential to impact a child’s oral health status and lower quality of life. For many years, anxiety and fear of dental treatment in children have been recognized as a source of problems in patient management for pediatric dentists. Good oral health depends on childhood dental treatment. There are many adult patients that delaying, even declining or avoiding dental treatment because of their childhood anxiety and fear to receive dental treatment. By assessing dental anxiety, it helps to understand child’s behavior during dental attendance and improve treatment plan. Aim: To estimate the association between dental fear and dental caries among pediatric dental patients. Materials and Methods: The study has consisted 153 subjects who selected from 4-12 years old children who attended dental clinic. The oral examination of each child was done by dentist according to recommendation of WHO, 2013. Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) was used to measure dental fear. The statistical analysis was processed using SPSS version 26.0 software. Results: The prevalence of dental fear among children aged 4 to 12 years was 51% (95% CI:43%-59%), and the mean CFSS-DS score was 38 by using The Dental Subscale of Children’s Fear Survey Schedule assessment. The prevalence of dental caries and mean score of dental caries was among the children 94.3%, 6.12±3.2, which is “high” by WHO criteria. The relationship between dental fear and dental caries was statistically significant (p<0.001): the more cavities in children’s mouth, the greater percentage of dental fear. Conclusions: 1. The prevalence of dental fear among children aged 4 to 12 years was 51% by using The Dental Subscale of Children’s Fear Survey Schedule assessment. 2. The prevalence of dental caries and the mean decayed, missing and filled teeth of among the children was 94.3%, 6.12±3.2 dmft, which is “high” by WHO criteria. 3. The participants’ dental fears compared to dental caries activity showed that the more cavities in children’s mouth, the greater percentage of dental fear.