Dental Fear and Its Determinants in 7–11-Year-Old Children in Tehran, Iran Publisher Pubmed



Mohebbi SZ¹ ; Razeghi S¹ ; Gholami M¹ ; Kharazifard MJ² ; Rahimian S³
Source: European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry Published:2019

Abstract

Aim: To assess dental fear and its determinants in 7–11-year-old children. Methods: In this cross-sectional (descriptive-analytical) study, the standard Persian version of the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) questionnaire was completed by 240 parent–child (children aged 7–11 years) pairs referred to dental clinics in Tehran city, Iran. Background characteristics were also inquired. Results: An equal number of boys and girls participated in the study. The mean score of fear among the children was 21.66 ± 8.33. The causes of fear among the children were, first, injection, and then, seeing the dentist’s drill, choking feeling, and finally, filling the tooth. There was a significant correlation between the scores of children’s dental fear and their experience of meeting with the dentist (p = 0.001). The result of the regression test showed that the age of the children (p = 0.022) and high levels of dental fear among their fathers (p < 0.001) was related to high levels of dental fear among the children. Conclusions: The present children revealed a moderate level of dental fear. Taking children’s age into account in behavioural management and challenging father's fear seemed to play a key role to reduce the child’s fear and prevent its long-term consequences. © 2018, European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry.