Frequent exposure to invasive medical care in early childhood and operative dental treatment associated with dental apprehension of children at 9 years of age

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ABSTRACT

Aim

This was to study prospectively a cohort of children as to whether behaviour at a 3-year examination, exposure to
medical care and operative dental treatment are associated with each other, and with the level of dental apprehension at 9 years of age.

Methods

Data were collected at three subsequent dental examinations of 126 children (67 boys, 59 girls). Cooperation, general
health condition and operative dental treatment during the preceding 3 years were obtained at dental examinations with 3-year intervals,
i.e. at 3, 6 and 9 years of age. Children's dental apprehension was assessed at the age of 9 years. The data were analysed using an
ordinal logistic regression model.

Results

Dental apprehension at 9 years of age was associated with frequent exposure to invasive
medical care (p<0.001) and past experience of operative dental care (p<0.002), but not with cooperation at 3 years of age (p=0.124).

Conclusion

Frequent invasive medical care in early childhood and operative dental treatment, tooth extractions in
particular, are associated with dental apprehension at 9 years of age.

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