Study of dental phobia, psychological resilience, and related factors in children aged 8-9 years in Weifang city.

Abstract

To investigate the influencing factors of children's dental fear (CDF) and the relationship of CDF with resilience in children aged 8-9 years in Weifang city to provide evidence for the early prevention and intervention of CDF. Random cluster sampling method was applied. A total of 1 995 children aged 8-9 years from 10 primary schools in four districts of Weifang city were selected from June to October 2021 as the survey objects. General information questionnaire, the children's fear survey schedule-dental sub-scale, and adolescent resilience scale were used in the investigation. The CDF detection rate was 31.78% (634 cases) in children aged 8-9 years in Weifang city, including 28.41% (296 cases) in boys and 35.47% (338 cases) in girls. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that female gender [odds ratio (OR)=1.329, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.062-1.665], dental caries (OR=1.961, 95%CI=1.330-2.891), dental pain (OR=2.133, 95%CI=1.700-2.676), and dental treatment experience (OR=3.621, 95%CI=2.888-4.540) are risk factors for CDF. Parents with tertiary education or higher (OR=2.123, 95%CI=1.546-2.916; OR=3.304, 95%CI=2.368-4.612), high scores in the positive cognition factor of the psychological resilience-personal strength dimension (OR=1.520, 95%CI=1.141-2.025), high scores in the interpersonal assistance factor of the psychological resilience-support strength dimension (OR=3.819, 95%CI=2.743-5.318), and high scores in the family support factor (OR=5.634, 95%CI=4.047-7.844) were protective factors for CDF occurrence (P<0.05). Children with high psychological resilience scores have low CDF incidence, and good parenting practices are beneficial in reducing CDF incidence.