Correlation Between Child's Dental Fear and Anxiety Symptoms and Evaluating Factors Associated With Dental Fear

Abstract

Background and Aims

This study aimed to assess the correlation between dental fear and anxiety problems and evaluate factors associated with dental fear.

Methods

In this study, we utilized the standard Persian version of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) questionnaire and the Persian version of Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) questionnaire to explore children's dental fear and anxiety problems, respectively. Questionnaires were completed by 290 children aged 8–12 years who visited Pediatrics Department of Babol Dental Clinic and private pediatric offices. Demographic characteristics were also recorded. The data were analyzed by the one-way ANOVA, independent t-test (α = 0.05), Pearson correlation, and logistic regression test using SPSS version 26.

Results

In this study, 151 boys and 139 girls were included. Based on the CFSS-DS questionnaire, 8.6% of children had dental fear (Scores > 38). Dental fear correlated with all aspects of anxiety symptoms (p < 0.05). There were significant correlations between children's age (p = 0.019) and location of dental treatment (p = 0.002) with their dental fear scores. Having a housewife mother is a protective factor in child's dental fear (OR = 0.380, CI = 0.989–0.047, and p = 0.047).

Conclusion

The findings of the present study suggest that dental fear and anxiety problems correlate with each other, and factors such as child's age, the location of dental treatment, and having a housewife mother serve as prominent factors contributing to dental fear of children.