Interaction of dental anxiety and ABO secretor status of blood group on dental caries in a group of children

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the interaction of the dental anxiety precedents at the first dental examination andthe AB secretor status of blood groups (A, B, AB, and O) on dental caries experience and severity in a groupof school children. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study included 81 healthy children aged6-8 years from primary schools in Baghdad; with negative previous dental visit. Dental anxiety represented byphysiological measures was measured by pulse oximeter. Dental caries experience and severity was recorded.Unstimulated salivary samples were taken from the children to determine the salivary secretor status for ABblood type. Results: The anxiety was decreased as age increases; boys were more anxious than girls; and moreanxious children were found in non-secretor group; Dental caries was higher in non-secretor anxious childrenall with non-significant difference. Conclusion: There is little evidence that the AB secretor status and anxietyto have influence on dental caries experience and severity, as there are many factors may interact to propagatethe caries experience and severity.KEYWORDSDental anxiety; Dental caries; Children.