Comparative study about the factors associated with parental dental anxiety in a Peruvian hospital

Background: Dental anxiety is a source of problems in the dental treatment that can lead to dental avoidance. Objective: Determine and compare the factors associated with dental anxiety in Peruvian parents. Material and Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample consisted of children from 3 to 6 years old and their companions, who attended the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño in Lima, Peru. The Corah anxiety scale, the dental fear questionnaire and the Frankl scale were used to assess anxiety, parental dental fear, and children's collaboration. The following variables were also evaluated: negative dental experience, treated tooth and treatment of the children. Chi-square statistical tests, Mann-Whitney U and the binary logistic regression model were used. Results: The sample consisted of 325 children and their companions. An association was found between gender (OR = 2.456; 95% CI: 1.037 - 5.818), child collaboration (OR = 0.044; 95% CI: 0.044 - 0.543) and maternal anxiety (p<0.05). Furthermore, there was an association between dental fear (OR = 3.569; 95% CI: 1.136 - 11.218), child collaboration (OR = 0.023; 95% CI: 0.003 - 0.172) and paternal anxiety (p<0.05). Conclusion: The factor associated with maternal dental anxiety was the sex of the child, and on the father’s side, it was the dental fear experienced by them. Moreover, the component affiliated with both parents was the child's collaboration.