Is Dental Fear related to Clinical Consequences of Untreated Dental Caries in Children?

Abstract

Purpose: To explore correlation between dental fear and consequences of untreated dental caries in children. Methods: Assessments of dental fear using Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Sub-scale, dental caries using decayed, missed and filled teeth index and consequences of untreated dental caries using pufa/PUFA index. Children (n= 250) were selected from clinics of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Cairo University. Results: Prevalence of pufa/PUFA>0 was 84.8% and 11.2% respectively. Mean score of pufa/PUFA was 3.83 and 0.20 respectively. Positive significant correlation between fear and dmft (primary dentition) was noted (P=0.003). Whereas, a negative significant correlation between fear (CSFSS-DS) and PUFA (permanent dentition) was revealed (P=0.021). On the other hand, no significant correlations between fear and pufa (primary dentition) (P=0.073) as well as DMFT (permanent dentition) were found (P=0.919). No significant association was noted between fear scores, gender and age. Conclusion: fear may have an impact on scores of caries and its consequences.