Dental anxiety in cooperative preschool children during their first dental visit to the pediatric dentistry department: a cross-sectional study.
- 1Department of pediatric dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
- 2Pediatric dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
- 3Pediatric dentistry, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is a psychological response ranging from mild apprehension to severe phobia of dental procedures, affecting children and adolescents. Its prevalence is highly variable globally, influenced by culture, family conditions, personality traits, and assessment tools.This study aimed to assess dental anxiety levels in cooperative children aged 4-6 during their first dental visit using both self-reported and physiological measures.Methods
A cross-sectional study included 100 children attending a pediatric dental clinic for the first time. The sample was collected from patients visiting the pediatric dentistry department in the faculty of dentistry. Self-reported anxiety was assessed using the Facial Image Scale (FIS), and pulse rate was recorded as a physiological indicator.Results
The sample comprised 44% males and 56% females. No significant differences were found among age and gender groups for FIS scores (p = 0.162, p = 0.811) or pulse rate in age groups (p = 0.552), but females exhibited significantly higher pulse rates than (mean 106.93vs. 95.52 bpm, p = 0.007).Conclusion
Dental anxiety is similar across ages 4-6 during the first visit, with girls showing higher physiological indicators. Monitoring both self-reported and physiological measures is essential, Future studies should include non-cooperative children and assess pulse rate at multiple time points to better distinguish situational arousal from dental anxiety.Clinical trial registration number
Not applicable.
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BibTeX
@article{snobar2026dental,
title = {{Dental anxiety in cooperative preschool children during their first dental visit to the pediatric dentistry department: a cross-sectional study.}},
author = {Alaa Snobar and Chaza Kouchaji and Jamila Bchara},
journal = {BMC pediatrics},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12887-026-07393-2},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907980},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Dental anxiety in cooperative preschool children during their first dental visit to the pediatric dentistry department: a cross-sectional study.
AU - Alaa Snobar
AU - Chaza Kouchaji
AU - Jamila Bchara
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC pediatrics
DO - 10.1186/s12887-026-07393-2
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42907980
AB - Background Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is a psychological response ranging from mild apprehension to severe phobia of dental procedures, affecting children and adolescents. Its prevalence is highly variable globally, influenced by culture, family conditions, personality traits, and assessment tools.This study aimed to assess dental anxiety levels in cooperative children aged 4-6 during their first dental visit using both self-reported and physiological measures.Methods A cross-sectional study included 100 children attending a pediatric dental clinic for the first time. The sample was collected from patients visiting the pediatric dentistry department in the faculty of dentistry. Self-reported anxiety was assessed using the Facial Image Scale (FIS), and pulse rate was recorded as a physiological indicator.Results The sample comprised 44% males and 56% females. No significant differences were found among age and gender groups for FIS scores (p = 0.162, p = 0.811) or pulse rate in age groups (p = 0.552), but females exhibited significantly higher pulse rates than (mean 106.93vs. 95.52 bpm, p = 0.007).Conclusion Dental anxiety is similar across ages 4-6 during the first visit, with girls showing higher physiological indicators. Monitoring both self-reported and physiological measures is essential, Future studies should include non-cooperative children and assess pulse rate at multiple time points to better distinguish situational arousal from dental anxiety.Clinical trial registration number Not applicable.
SN - 1471-2431
ER -