Effects of maternal dental anxiety on the time of first dental visit and dental caries status of children.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the effects of maternal dental anxiety on the time of first dental visit and dental caries status of children.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 children between 3 to 6 years and their mothers presenting to health centers in Ardabil, Iran in 2023. Maternal dental anxiety was measured by using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Dental caries status of children was evaluated by using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index. The Spearman analyzed data's correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression, and Kruskal-Wallis tests (alpha = 0.05).

RESULTS

Most of the mothers (69.1%) had no or mild dental anxiety, while 11.8% had high or severe dental anxiety, which significantly decreased with age (P = 0.043). The level of education of the mothers had no significant effect on their dental anxiety (P = 0.118). A significant association was found between maternal dental anxiety and reason for seeking dental care (checkup and dental caries) (P = 0.008). By an increase in maternal dental anxiety, the dmft of children and age at first dental visit significantly increased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

According to the results, the dmft index and age at the first dental visit were significantly higher in children, whose mothers had a higher level of dental anxiety.