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Home Dental fear/anxiety among children and adolescents. A systematic review

Dental fear/anxiety among children and adolescents. A systematic review

Authors:

  • S. Cianetti
    Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
  • G. Lombardo
    Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
  • E. Lupatelli
    Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
  • S. Pagano
    Biomedical Sciences, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
  • I. Abraha
    Regional Health Authority of Umbria, Health Planning Service of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
  • A. Montedori
    Regional Health Authority of Umbria, Health Planning Service of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
  • S. Caruso
    Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of L´Aquila, L´Aquila, Italy
  • R. Gatto
    Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of L´Aquila, L´Aquila, Italy
  • S. De Giorgio
    Department of Philosophy, Social and Human Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
  • R. Salvato
    Department of Philosophy, Social and Human Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2017.18.02.07

ABSTRACT


Aim

The aim of this paper was to review the published scientific literature to quantify the prevalence and mean score of
dental fear/anxiety (DFA) in children/adolescents and its variation according to several variables.

Methods

Cross-
sectional and cohort studies published from 2000 to 2014, that measured DFA in children /adolescents (aged 0-19 years), in the general
population, or visiting private or public dental services (general or pediatric) or attending school and kindergarten, were searched, with
specific terms, in 3 electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web Of Science). Primary data, collected with specific questionnaires of
demonstrated reliability and/or validity, were extracted.

Results

After screening 743 abstracts and evaluating 164 full-text
publications, 36 articles were selected. Dental fear/anxiety prevalence rates were 12.2%, 10.0%, 12.2%,11.0% and 20.0% for the
CFSS-DS, DAS, MDAS, DFS, and DFSS-SF scores, respectively. In the studies that used MCDAS Dental fear/prevalence rates varied
from 13.3% to 29.3%. In the studies that used CFSS-DS ratings, the prevalence and the mean score of dental fear/anxiety was lower in
Northern Europe than the remaining countries, the prevalence decreased with increasing age and the frequency was higher in females
than males. CONCLUSIONS: Dental fear/anxiety is a common problem in children/adolescents worldwide, therefore, new strategies to
overcome this relevant children/adolescent condition should be encouraged.

PLUMX METRICS

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Publication date:

June /2017

Keywords:

children/adolescents, dental fear/anxiety, prevalence

Issue:

Vol.18 – n.2/2017

Page:

121 – 130

Publisher:

Ariesdue

Cite:


Harvard: S. Cianetti, G. Lombardo, E. Lupatelli, S. Pagano, I. Abraha, A. Montedori, S. Caruso, R. Gatto, S. De Giorgio, R. Salvato (2017) "Dental fear/anxiety among children and adolescents. A systematic review", European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 18(2), pp121-130. doi: 10.23804/ejpd.2017.18.02.07
Vancouver: S. Cianetti, G. Lombardo, E. Lupatelli, S. Pagano, I. Abraha, A. Montedori, S. Caruso, R. Gatto, S. De Giorgio, R. Salvato. Dental fear/anxiety among children and adolescents. A systematic review. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry [Internet]. 2017Jun.1 [cited 2025May.15];18(2):121-130. Available from: https://www.ejpd.eu/abstract-pubmed/dental-fear-anxiety-among-children-and-adolescents-a-systematic-review/
MLA: S. Cianetti, G. Lombardo, E. Lupatelli, S. Pagano, I. Abraha, A. Montedori, S. Caruso, R. Gatto, S. De Giorgio, R. Salvato Dental fear/anxiety among children and adolescents. A systematic review. European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. 2017;18(2):121-130

Copyright (c) 2021 Ariesdue

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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    European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry © | ISSN (Online): 2035-648X
    Registrazione del Tribunale di Milano n. 285 del 14.04.1998 | ROC 1946 - 26.09.2001
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