Dental Healthcare Settings Research Articles

Analysis of sterilizer allocation and related factors in dental health-care settings in Yunnan Province, China: a cross-sectional study

ObjectiveTo investigate the status and related factors of sterilizers in dental health-care settings in Yunnan Province, with the aim of providing a theoretical basis for the health administrative department to formulate regional quality control programs and systems, proposing reasonable suggestions for optimizing the allocation of sterilizer resources in Yunnan’s dental health-care settings, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2600 dental health-care settings in Yunnan Province in March 2020. Uni-variable linear regression, multi-variable linear regression, curve fitting and threshold effect analysis were used to understand the relationship between dental units and sterilizers.ResultsA total of 2600 dental health-care settings were included. The disinfection and sterilization work were mainly completed by the dental department in 1510(58.1%) institutions. 44(1.7%) institutions were not allocated sterilization equipment, and 1632 (62.8%) had only one sterilizer. The median allocation of sterilizers was 1.0. Uni-variable linear regression showed significant differences in covariates such as dental unit, dental handpiece, disinfection equipment, dentist, and dental assistant, which were more sensitive (p < 0.001) and statistically significant. The adjusted model was more stable in the multi-variable linear regression, and the differences in covariates between different settings were statistically significant. Curve fitting revealed an S-shaped curvilinear relationship between the number of dental units and sterilizers in oral healthcare settings.ConclusionThe disinfection and sterilization work was mainly completed by the dental department in dental health-care settings in Yunnan Province. Sterilizer allocation increases with the number of dental units, but some institutions have insufficient allocation of sterilizer and manpower resources, resulting in certain risks of infection control. Thus, it is necessary to strengthen supervision, inspection and regional quality control work in infection control of dentistry.

Acinetobacter baumannii as an oro-dental pathogen: a red alert!!

This review highlights the existence and association of Acinetobacter baumannii with the oro-dental diseases, transforming this systemic pathogen into an oral pathogen. The review also hypothesizes possible reasons for the categorization of this pathogen as code blue due to its stealthy entry into the oral cavity. Study data were retrieved from various search engines reporting specifically on the association of A. baumannii in dental diseases and tray set-ups. Articles were also examined regarding obtained outcomes on A. baumannii biofilm formation, iron acquisitions, magnitude of antimicrobial resistance, and its role in the oral cancers. A. baumannii is associated with the oro-dental diseases and various virulence factors attribute for the establishment and progression of oro-mucosal infections. Its presence in the oral cavity is frequent in oral microbiomes, conditions of impaired host immunity, age related illnesses, and hospitalized individuals. Many sources also contribute for its prevalence in the dental health care environment and the presence of drug resistant traits is also observed. Its association with oral cancers and oral squamous cell carcinoma is also evident. The review calls for awareness on the emergence of A. baumannii in dental clinics and for the need for educational programs to monitor and control the sudden outbreaks of such virulent and resistant traits in the dental health care settings.

Targeting the Enterococcal Fibronectin Binding Protein- A of Enterococcus faecalis with Bioactive Compounds from Aegle Marmelos: An In-vitro and In-silico Pilot Study

Introduction: Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is a significant endodontic pathogen, and its virulence has been shown to be significantly influenced by Enterococcal fibronectin binding protein-A (EfbA). Targeting this virulent protein using alternative strategies would be a novel idea to combat the complications of E. faecalis in dental healthcare settings. Thus, the rationale of this investigation is to identify potent bioactive compounds from Aegle marmelos for their antimicrobial properties against EfbA of E. faecalis. Aim: To assess the frequency of EfbA among clinical isolates of E. faecalis and evaluate the antibacterial activity of essential bioactive compounds from Aegle marmelos. Materials and Methods: An in-vitro and in-silico pilot study was conducted from April 2022 to June 2022 in the Department of Microbiology, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India to detect the frequency of EfbA in E. faecalis. Patients with typical root caries were included. Microbiological processing of 20 root caries samples was performed to characterise E. faecalis and detect the EfbA gene using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification. Crude methanol extract was obtained from A. marmelos and assessed for its antimicrobial effect against the isolated strains of E. faecalis. Furthermore, several biomolecules from A. marmelos were evaluated for their inhibitory properties through in-silico docking analysis. Results: E. faecalis was identified in 12 (60%) out of 20 root caries samples, and three isolates (25%) were identified as Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) strains based on the antibiogram susceptibility profile, showing resistance to more than three different tested antibiotic groups. EfbA was detected in two of the three MDR strains (66.7%). The crude extract of A. marmelos exhibited promising antibacterial activity. In-silico analysis of the essential oil compounds from A. marmelos revealed that Aegeline had a high interaction with low docking energy and a high number of hydrogen bonds. Conclusion: The current study highlights the potential of aegeline from A. marmelos as an antibacterial agent against resistant strains of E. faecalis. However, additional in-vivo research must be conducted to experimentally validate these findings.

A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess HIV/AIDS-Related Stigma and Its Drivers Among Dental Healthcare Providers in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Introduction HIV-related stigma and discrimination amonghealthcare providers are some of the strongest obstacles to effectively responding to HIV and achieving health-related quality of life. In the Pakistani context, HIV-related discrimination has been explored mainly among people living with HIV (PLHIV), and no study has investigated HIV-related stigma from the perspective of dental healthcare providers. Aim This study aimed to investigate the HIV-related stigma among dental healthcare workers in Pakistan and understand the factors associated with it. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of three months (December 2021 to February 2022) among 601 consenting dental healthcare providers in all public and private dental healthcare facilities in Islamabad, Pakistan. Pretested questionnaires collected information on demographics, work-related characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS. HIV-related stigma was assessed through "the stigma index" developed by USAID and was measured as a continuous variable. Multivariate linear regression analysis evaluated the independent effect of different factors associated with HIV-related stigma. Results HIV-related stigma remains highly prevalent within both public and private dental healthcare facilities in ICT and among all cadres of dental healthcare providers. Among associated factors, misconceptions in HIV knowledge are highly significant (p < 0.001) and those with a higher score of incorrect HIV knowledge had higher levels of stigma. Healthcare providers who read any HIV-related manual or guidelines were found to be less stigmatized as compared to those who have not been exposed to any such literature (p=0.029). Dentists (p=0.04) showed higher levels of stigma as compared to dental assistants and dental hygienists, while employees of private hospitals (p=0.0) and private clinics (p=0.0) were far more stigmatized by HIV in comparison to dental healthcare providers in public hospitals. Conclusion This study provides the first-ever analysis of HIV-related stigma and its drivers in the dental healthcare settings in Pakistan and highlights multiple individual, clinical, and policy-level factors associated with it. In order to address this stigma, it is essential for healthcare institutions to create supportive and inclusive healthcare settings, by providing education and trainingto care providers in order to increase their understanding of the disease itself. In addition, healthcare institutions can take steps to ensure that their policies and practices are inclusive and non-discriminatory, such as implementing policies that prohibit discrimination based on HIV status and providing confidential care. On the other hand, care providers must work to recognize their own biases and strive to provide non-discriminatory and culturally sensitive care to all patients. The findings of this study could be used as a baseline and insight by organizations like the National AIDS Control Program into possible targets for future exploration and interventions to effectively reduce the stigma towardPLHIV in dental healthcare settings.

Patient Satisfaction in Dental Healthcare Settings at Saudi Ministry of Health: A Descriptive Study.

Patient satisfaction is crucial for assessing healthcare quality and identifying strengths and weaknesses in healthcare organizations. In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health (MOH) implemented the Patient Experience Measurement Program to enhance patient experience and healthcare quality. This study aimed to identify specific aspects of patient satisfaction with dental visits in Saudi Arabia to improve dental care quality and inform dental services development. The study used a standardized self-administered questionnaire (Health Links/Press Ganey) and analyzed surveys from patients who visited MOH-specialized dental clinics in Saudi Arabia during the first half of 2022. The dental section comprised 20 questions across five domains, with patients rating their experience on a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25. A total of 964 patients were surveyed. The overall patient satisfaction with dental settings was 3.61 out of 5.0 (72.2%). The highest satisfaction score was for personal issues with the dental clinic domain (3.93/5; 78.6%), while the least satisfaction score was for access to the dental clinic domain (3.29/5; 65.8%). Among all items, the cleanliness of the facility showed the highest satisfaction score (4.11/5; 82.2%). The least satisfaction was for the ease of contacting the dental clinic (2.71/5; 54.2%). The study found high levels of satisfaction among Saudi patients with dental services provided through MOH facilities across various component domains. This highlights the crucial role of dentists in ensuring high-quality dental care and serves as an indication of the overall healthcare quality in MOH facilities.

Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission in Dental Healthcare Settings: A review

Prevention of COVID-19 Transmission in Dental Healthcare Settings: A review

Disinfectants for Dental Setting in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Era

The introduction of novel variants of infectious viruses causes viral outbreaks. And now we are in the midst of a virus pandemic that is affecting the entire world. The lack of efficient antiviral treatments for novel viral infections, along with the infection's rapid spread in the population, frequently results in significant human and financial damage. Close human-to-human touch or contact with a contaminated surface can both transmit viruses. To prevent viral spread, thorough cleaning or sanitization is required. There are a variety of disinfectants/sanitizing agents/biocidal agents that can inactivate viruses, but their effectiveness is dependent on a number of parameters, including agent concentration, reaction time, temperature, and organic load. In this review, we will be discussing the alcohol- and iodine-based disinfectants in a dental health-care setting.

Dental health care for children with Down syndrome: Parents' description of their children's needs in dental health care settings.

A visit to the dental clinic may be challenging for a child with Down syndrome due to medical and oral health problems as well as communication problems. The aim of the present study was to explore how parents of children with Down syndrome describe their child's needs in the dental health care setting. In a survey concerning parental experiences with dental health care in Sweden, free comments were analysed with content analysis and resulted in five categories: “Need for continuity of care in dental health care”; “Need for dental health care professionals to have knowledge and expertise in caring for children with Down syndrome and other disabilities”; “Need for dental health care professionals to use a caring approach with children with Down syndrome”; “Need for the child with Down syndrome to be prepared to participate in their dental health care visit” and “Need for the child with Down syndrome to be given the same rights as typically developing children”. To support children with Down syndrome in an optimal way, dental health care needs to be tailored to meet the child's unique needs. In addition, dental health care professionals need knowledge of and expertise in the care of children with Down syndrome.

GROWing in dentistry: mentoring the dental professional.

Introduction Mentoring plays a key role in supporting individuals and organisations. It is a journey in which the mentor aids the development of their clients by setting achievable goals and realistic plans, monitoring progress and providing feedback or assisting reflection. The mentor assists the learner in solving problems and providing personal support and motivation. As the relationship develops over time, the mentor will need to utilise various skills, knowledge and behaviours in order to facilitate successful outcomes. Effective mentoring relies on a process known as the 'mentor life cycle.' This involves the matching process, contracting, use of mentor models or diagnostic tools, appraisal, peer and group supervision.Methods A literature review was performed (keywords were 'coaching' or 'coach', 'mentoring' or 'mentor' and 'dentistry'). Guidance, institutional publications and original research were considered. Limits were applied (2013 onwards, English only). The evidence was appraised to inform a best practice guide for use in mentoring, applicable to dentistry.Conclusion Mentoring can create a positive culture that can help team members share knowledge, cultivate new ideas and improve team working. This paper explores the role of mentoring in a dental healthcare setting and the use of the 'mentor's toolkit' to promote professional development of the individuals involved. It also highlights the stages of the mentoring process, use of the GROW model and the role of supervision to support mentors in mutual growth and learning. When used effectively, the mentoring process positively impacts on both the organisation and the individuals within it, ultimately resulting in better patient care.

A study to assess patient’s perspective of health-care ethical challenges in a dental health-care setting

Introduction: Ethical practice in health care is defined as consisting of informed consent, respect for integrity, and patient autonomy. Ethical practice in health care is defined as consisting of informed consent, respect for integrity, and patient’s autonomy. In the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of disputes ranging from inadequate and inappropriate treatments to serious problems of medical malpractice and negligence. There is thus a growing need to identify whether or not patients are satisfied with services provided and which ethical challenges, if any, patients value most in a health-care setting. This is not only to elevate the quality of treatment but also to potentially avoid unnecessary legal complications. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the opinion of patients at a dental hospital about some commonly encountered ethical challenges and to investigate the ethical challenges which patients feel most important to them. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 participants were recruited for this cross-sectional study among patients who have visited the dental hospital more than twice. Each participant completed a self-administered questionnaire on some common ethical challenges. The results were considered as statistically significant when P < 0.05. Results: Approximately 79% of the participants felt that doctors were competent in completing procedure in the time frame, and 84% felt that doctors followed the personal hygiene protocol. Only 47% of the participants felt that doctors accommodated missed appointments/lateness. Conclusion: Participants were satisfied with a majority of the clinical services provided. The majority of the patients considered doctor competence and infection control as important issues. There is, however, a general lack of awareness regarding ethical issues in the dental field.

GROWing in dentistry: mentoring the dental professional

Introduction Mentoring plays a key role in supporting individuals and organisations. It is a journey in which the mentor aids the development of their clients by setting achievable goals and realistic plans, monitoring progress and providing feedback or assisting reflection. The mentor assists the learner in solving problems and providing personal support and motivation. As the relationship develops over time, the mentor will need to utilise various skills, knowledge and behaviours in order to facilitate successful outcomes. Effective mentoring relies on a process known as the 'mentor life cycle.' This involves the matching process, contracting, use of mentor models or diagnostic tools, appraisal, peer and group supervision.Methods A literature review was performed (keywords were 'coaching' or 'coach', 'mentoring' or 'mentor' and 'dentistry'). Guidance, institutional publications and original research were considered. Limits were applied (2013 onwards, English only). The evidence was appraised to inform a best practice guide for use in mentoring, applicable to dentistry.Conclusion Mentoring can create a positive culture that can help team members share knowledge, cultivate new ideas and improve team working. This paper explores the role of mentoring in a dental healthcare setting and the use of the 'mentor's toolkit' to promote professional development of the individuals involved. It also highlights the stages of the mentoring process, use of the GROW model and the role of supervision to support mentors in mutual growth and learning. When used effectively, the mentoring process positively impacts on both the organisation and the individuals within it, ultimately resulting in better patient care.

Tobacco cessation help in the dental healthcare setting of Turkey

Tobacco cessation help in the dental healthcare setting of Turkey

White-coat hypertension detected during opportunistic blood pressure screening in a dental healthcare setting

Objective To study white-coat hypertension (WCHT, blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg in a clinic and normal blood pressure <135/85 mmHg at home), with blood pressure screening of a healthy population during their dental healthcare visit and the associated risk factors. Design A multicentre observational study. Setting A healthy general population at four dental clinics in a region in southern Sweden. Subjects 2025 individuals aged 40–75 years were screened for high blood pressure at their annual regular check-up dental visit. Main outcome measures Frequencies of normal and elevated blood pressure (BP) in dental clinics, with home BP as a reference. According to BP results, the population was divided into three groups: normotension (NT), WCHT and suspected hypertension (HT). Background and life style factors were measured: sex, age, family history of hypertension, body mass index (BMI kg/m2), education level, tobacco use, and physical activity level. Results The overall prevalence of WCHT in the study was 17.7%, and the prevalence was 57.2% among those with clinically high blood pressure. Compared with NT, WCHT was associated with male sex (OR 1.56, CI 1.18–2.06), older age group (OR 2.33, CI 1.66–3.26), family history of hypertension (OR 1.61, CI 1.24–2.10), high BMI kg/m2 (OR 2.36, CI 1.80–3.10), daily snuff use (OR 1.74, CI 1.19–2.53). In comparison with WCHT, HT was associated with male sex (OR 2.16, CI 1.44–3.25), older age group (OR 2.85, CI 1.75–4.65), daily smoking (OR 2.10, CI 1.14–3.85), less daily snuff use (OR 0.59, CI 0.34–0.99). Conclusions The prevalence of WCHT in a healthy population was 17.7%. Regarding cardiovascular risk factors, WCHT seems to be in the middle of NT and HT. Individuals with WCHT can be identified and given lifestyle advice in connection with a dental check-up, but follow-up and assessment of their cardiovascular risk should take place in primary care. Key points Screening in dental practice can detect white-coat hypertension (WCHT) (17.7%) and suspected hypertension (HT) (12.4%). Individuals with WCHT have more cardiovascular risk factors than normotensive individuals. Individuals with WCHT could be given lifestyle advice in dental clinics according to current guidelines.

Dealing with Anxious Patients: An Integrative Review of the Literature on Nonpharmaceutical Interventions to Reduce Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Medical or Dental Procedures.

Objectives: A previous systematic literature review (SLR) evaluated 501 experiments on reducing patient anxiety across medical and dental environments. This integrative review examines those interventions and explores possible mechanisms leading to relative success or failure within those environments, in the interest of interprofessional education and communication. Methods: Reviewers evaluated 501 experiments testing interventions for reducing patient anxiety in a variety of medical and dental health care settings. Methodology for the SLR, largely following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, is briefly reviewed. Results: A total of 501 experiments (from 408 articles) met review criteria. One hundred and forty-three Music experiments were included, and Music interventions were largely effective, except in the case of colonoscopy. Education is the only intervention that occasionally (5 times of 130 experiments) raised patient anxiety in the face of a procedure; the discussion focuses on the wisdom of assessing patient need for information. Thirty-seven Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) experiments of various types are included, with a success rate of 89%, with a particularly high rate of success (12 of 12 experiments) in dentistry. Massage has a success rate that is similar to that of CBT, but Massage has been tested in far fewer specialty areas. Relaxation has been tested in every specialty area, except mechanical ventilation, with promising results. Acupuncture and Acupressure have not been widely tested, but their effectiveness rate is 100% when it comes to reducing patient anxiety in various procedural settings. Similarly, experiments show Hypnosis to be successful in 90% of trials. In contrast, Distraction was successful in only 40% of the experiments summarized, although it was more effective in dentistry. A variety of Nature-based Interventions (Aromatherapy, Nature Sounds, and Visual Stimuli) were highly successful across a variety of settings. Discussion: Possible mechanisms are discussed, along with commentary on feasibility. Limitations include publication bias, small sample sizes, and the lack of placebo controls. Future areas of research are pointed out.

The cost-effectiveness of a two-step blood pressure screening programme in a dental health-care setting.

Hypertension is one of the largest contributors to the disease burden and a major economic challenge for health-care systems. Early detection of persons with high blood pressure can be achieved through screening and has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality. We evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an opportunistic hypertension screening programme in a dental-care facility for individuals aged 40-75 in comparison to care as usual (the no-screening baseline scenario). A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was carried out from the payer and societal perspectives, and the short-term (from screening until diagnosis has been established) cost per identified case of hypertension and long-term (20 years) cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) were reported. Data on the short-term cost were based on a real-world screening programme in which 2025 healthy individuals were screened for hypertension. Data on the long-term cost were based on the short-term outcomes combined with modelling in a Markov cohort model. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were carried out to assess uncertainty. The short-term analysis showed an additional cost of 4,800 SEK (€470) per identified case of hypertension from the payer perspective and from the societal perspective 12,800 SEK (€1,240). The long-term analysis showed a payer cost per QALY of 2.2 million SEK (€210,000) and from the societal perspective 2.8 million SEK per QALY (€270,000). The long-term model results showed that the screening model is unlikely to be cost-effective in a country with a well-developed health-care system and a relatively low prevalence of hypertension.

Oral Mucosa, Saliva, and COVID-19 Infection in Oral Health Care.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has shaken the globe with an ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 and has set challenges to every corner of the modern health care setting. The oral mucosa and saliva are high risk sites for higher viral loads and dental health care professionals are considered a high risk group. COVID-19-induced oral lesions and loss of taste and smell are common clinical complaints in the dental health care setting. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been found to cause a wide range of non-specific oral mucosal lesions, but the specific diagnosis of these mucocutaneous lesions as COVID-19 lesions will facilitate the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 in dental health care settings and aid in proper patient management. The reported loss of taste and smell needs further investigation at the receptor level as it will give new insights into SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity. The high yield of virus in the salivary secretion is a common finding in this infection and ongoing research is focusing on developing saliva as a rapid diagnostic fluid in COVID-19. In this review, we discuss the significance of oral mucosa, saliva and the relevance of the COVID-19 pandemic in dentistry.

COVID-19 testing in a UK dental practice - results of a pilot study.

Objective In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) caused a disease outbreak that soon became a global pandemic. Dentists are potentially exposed to infectious microorganisms, including SARS-CoV-2, by virtue of the transmission routes and work environment. This study aims to determine the infection load in a dental healthcare setting during the onset of the pandemic in the UK, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of recommended test regimens in order to estimate potential risks for caregivers and patients in a dynamically changing pandemic environment.Methods Twenty-four persons (dental personnel of one dental office and family contacts) were included in this pilot study, and their infection load was determined between March and May 2020 using antigen and antibody tests.Results Of the 24 subjects, three tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and were quarantined accordingly. After six weeks, they tested negative for the virus, had built antibodies and had no remaining symptoms, enabling an efficient return to work.Conclusion This paper outlines the results of COVID-19 testing in a dental practice during the onset of the pandemic, and discusses possible strategies and protocols to gain certainty in the dental practice, assessing possible testing scenarios that can be performed in a primary healthcare setting.

Identifying victims of human trafficking in the dental healthcare setting

Human trafficking is a global public health problem and Switzerland is one of the so-called destination countries for human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Given the likelihood that dental teams will encounter trafficked persons who are seeking treatment for a number of oral health problems, dental professionals should be able to identify victims and to intervene. Clinicians should utilize red flag indicators and oral health presentations commonly associated with trafficking- related injuries as triggers for interventions. Modes of intervention include informing trafficked persons of their rights and available support as well as seeking their permission to liaison with the authorities and support organizations on their behalf. The dental team should adopt a compassionate and patient approach towards the traumatized victim.

Systemic Management of Pandemic Risks in Dental Practice: A Consolidated Framework for COVID-19 Control in Dentistry.

Dental teams and their workplaces are among the most exposed to airborne and bloodborne infectious agents, and therefore at the forefront of pandemic-related changes to how dental care is organized and provided to patients. The increasing complexity of guidelines makes is challenging for clinicians to navigate the multitude of COVID-19 guidelines issued by different agencies. A comparative analysis of guidance issued for managing COVID-19 in dental settings leading U.S. agencies was conducted, including documents of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an agency of the U.S. Secretary of Labor, and of the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), an agency of the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Details of infection control and other risk mitigation measures were reviewed for consistency, overlaps and similarities, then clustered according to thematic areas covering all domains of managing a dental healthcare setting. The analysis revealed five distinct areas of pandemic control, comprising (1) planning and protocols, (2) patient screening, (3) preparation of facilities, (4) PPE and infection control, and (5) procedures and aerosol control; thereby covering systematically all aspects requiring adaptation in a pandemic context. The “Pandemic-5 Framework for COVID-19 Control in Dentistry” provides an opportunity to simplify comprehensive decision-making from a clinical practitioner perspective. The framework supports a comprehensive systems-driven approach by using dental clinics as a setting to integrate pandemic clinical responses with the implementation of appropriate infection control protocols. Traditionally these two aspects are addressed independently from each other in separate concepts.

Child preferences for the dentist attire and dental health-care setting: A cross-sectional study

Background: Color plays an important role in a child's life and can elicit emotions such as anxiety and fear. Clothes worn by a dental surgeon may increase anxiety and fear in children because of the children's previous experiences. Furthermore, a dental clinic environment can significantly contribute to dental anxiety and fear. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate children's preferences for dentist attire and the color of the pediatric dental clinic environment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 132 female schoolchildren aged 6–10 years. Using a questionnaire with a pictorial demonstration, each child was interviewed to gather information regarding their preferences for the dentist attire and the color of the dental clinic. First, the children were asked to prioritize five photographs of a single anonymous dentist wearing five different aprons (white coat, casual attire, pediatric scrub, surgical scrub, jeans, and T-shirt). Then, a set of five pictures of a dental clinic painted in blue, yellow, green, and black and one clinic with cartoon images were shown to the children. The data were subjected to statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Results: The majority of the children preferred that pediatric dentists wear traditional white coats (n = 62), while the most preferred interior for the dental clinic was the one with cartoon images (n = 88). Statistical analysis indicated that preference for the white coat and preference for the clinic with cartoon images were significant when compared with others (P