Are anxiety and the presence of siblings risk factors for dental neglect and oral health status in children?

Arch Pediatr. 2021 Feb;28(2):123-128. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2020.12.005. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

Abstract

Objective: Neglect has a negative effect on all aspects of a child's overall health. Dental neglect is the intentional failure of parents or caregivers to take precautions and ensure the necessary dental treatment, and is closely related to dental caries and anxiety. We aimed to determine whether the presence of siblings causes dental neglect, and whether there is a relationship between dental neglect and anxiety.

Methods: The cross-sectional study included 100 children and their parents. The children's oral health status was evaluated using the DMFT/dmft and PUFA/pufa indices. In addition, the parents completed the Dental Neglect Scale and a questionnaire, while the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale was administered to the children to assess their dental anxiety.

Results: Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the number of children in the family was statistically significantly associated with DMFT/dmft (β=2.963; P<0.001), PUFA/pufa (β=1.271; P=0.005), and dental neglect scores (β=5.449; P<0.001). The PUFA/pufa scores were statistically higher among children who had visited a dentist before (β=1.181; P=0.043).

Conclusions: The high level of dental anxiety and neglect in children with more than one sibling indicates that families should be more aware of the importance of oral health.

Keywords: Anxiety; Caries; Neglect; Oral health; Siblings.

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety / diagnosis
  • Anxiety / etiology
  • Anxiety / psychology*
  • Caregivers / psychology*
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / diagnosis
  • Child Abuse / psychology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dental Care for Children / psychology
  • Dental Caries / diagnosis
  • Dental Caries / etiology*
  • Dental Caries / prevention & control
  • Dental Caries / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Oral Health*
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Siblings*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires