Factors Associated with Dental Anxiety in Brazilian Children of 5 to 8 years

Abstract

Objective: To test the agreement between the evaluators index oral health, to conduct a preliminary analysis possible associated factors to dental in children, and show the prevalence of dental anxiety in children and their parents. Material and Methods: It is a pilot study composed for sample with 100 children (5-8 years) from Recife, Pernambuco state. The dates were collected by a questionnaire administered in a face to face interview with the parents. The anxiety were available through the Dental Anxiety Question and with the oral health measured by index CPOD , and others 26 variables associate were available. Results: The prevalence of dental anxiety in children was 46% and 28% in parents. Association was observed between dental anxiety with their satisfaction with friends (p <0.005). We identified 10 possible associated factors to child dental anxiety (p <0.25). Conclusion: The satisfaction with friends are inversely associated with dental anxiety in children and those new studies analyzing dental anxiety in children should include the investigation of other variables to test for associations.