Abstract
Background:: Dental anxiety is a significant issue that impacts both parents and children, with parental anxiety potentially influencing children’s behavior during dental visits. Understanding this relationship is critical to improving pediatric dental experiences and outcomes. Aim:: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of parental dental anxiety on children’s acceptance of dental treatment. Materials and Methods:: A cross-sectional study involving 500 child–parent pairs was conducted in a pediatric dental clinic in Faridkot, India, from February 2024 to June 2024. Parental dental anxiety was assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, and children’s treatment acceptance was evaluated using the Frankl’s Behavior Rating Scale. Statistical analyses included correlation and regression to determine the relationship between variables. Results:: Parental anxiety levels were categorized as low (42%), moderate (35%), and high (23%). Children of parents with low anxiety exhibited 85% cooperative behavior, compared to 40% among those with highly anxious parents. A significant inverse relationship was observed between parental anxiety and children’s acceptance of dental treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion:: Parental dental anxiety significantly impacts children’s acceptance of dental treatment. Interventions targeting parental anxiety may improve pediatric dental care experiences and outcomes.
Published Version
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