Dental anxiety in cooperative preschool children during their first dental visit to the pediatric dentistry department: a cross-sectional study.

IF 2.3 3区医学 Q2 PEDIATRICS

BMC Pediatrics Pub Date : 2026-07-25 DOI:10.1186/s12887-026-07393-2

Alaa Snobar, Chaza Kouchaji, Jamila Bchara

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is a psychological response ranging from mild apprehension to severe phobia of dental procedures, affecting children and adolescents. Its prevalence is highly variable globally, influenced by culture, family conditions, personality traits, and assessment tools.This study aimed to assess dental anxiety levels in cooperative children aged 4-6 during their first dental visit using both self-reported and physiological measures.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included 100 children attending a pediatric dental clinic for the first time. The sample was collected from patients visiting the pediatric dentistry department in the faculty of dentistry. Self-reported anxiety was assessed using the Facial Image Scale (FIS), and pulse rate was recorded as a physiological indicator.

Results: The sample comprised 44% males and 56% females. No significant differences were found among age and gender groups for FIS scores (p = 0.162, p = 0.811) or pulse rate in age groups (p = 0.552), but females exhibited significantly higher pulse rates than (mean 106.93vs. 95.52 bpm, p = 0.007).

Conclusion: Dental anxiety is similar across ages 4-6 during the first visit, with girls showing higher physiological indicators. Monitoring both self-reported and physiological measures is essential, Future studies should include non-cooperative children and assess pulse rate at multiple time points to better distinguish situational arousal from dental anxiety.

Clinical trial registration number: Not applicable.

查看原文本刊更多论文

合作学龄前儿童第一次到儿科牙科就诊时的牙科焦虑：一项横断面研究。

背景：牙科恐惧和焦虑（DFA）是儿童和青少年对牙科手术的一种心理反应，从轻微的恐惧到严重的恐惧。受文化、家庭条件、人格特征和评估工具的影响，其流行程度在全球范围内变化很大。本研究旨在用自我报告和生理测量两种方法评估4-6岁合作儿童第一次看牙时的牙科焦虑水平。方法：一项横断面研究包括100名第一次到儿科牙科诊所就诊的儿童。样本来自于在牙科学院儿科牙科就诊的患者。使用面部图像量表（FIS）评估自我报告的焦虑，并记录脉搏率作为生理指标。结果：样本中男性占44%，女性占56%。FIS评分（p = 0.162, p = 0.811）和脉搏率（p = 0.552）在年龄和性别组间无显著差异，但女性的脉搏率明显高于（平均106.93vs）。95.52 bpm, p = 0.007)。结论：4 ~ 6岁儿童首次访牙时牙焦虑程度相似，女孩生理指标较高。监测自我报告和生理测量是必要的，未来的研究应包括不合作的儿童，并在多个时间点评估脉搏率，以更好地区分情境唤醒和牙科焦虑。临床试验注册号：不适用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

BMC Pediatrics PEDIATRICS-

CiteScore

3.70

自引率

4.20%

发文量

683

审稿时长

3-8 weeks

期刊介绍： BMC Pediatrics is an open access journal publishing peer-reviewed research articles in all aspects of health care in neonates, children and adolescents, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology.