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Arabian Journal of Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract

Background and aim of the study: Dental fear and anxiety are one of the main challenges in pediatric dentistry, and dental fear and anxiety are a common reason for avoiding dental treatments, which may lead to deterioration of oral health status over time. Many researchers have shown that the relationship between parents and children has a direct impact on dental anxiety in children, so this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the relationship between dental anxiety in mothers and dental anxiety in children.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 children and their mothers who attended the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Damascus University. The children's aged ranged 6 to12 years. Demographic data were collected included child's age, mother's age, child's gender, and mother's education level. Dental anxiety in children was assessed using the Facial Image Scale, and dental anxiety in mothers was assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale.

Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24 at a significance level of 0.05

Results: Spearman's rho showed no correlation between dental anxiety in children and both the child's age and the mother's age (P< 0.05). Chi-square test results also showed no correlation between gender and dental anxiety in children (P <0.05). Spearman's rho showed a statistically significant relationship between dental anxiety in mothers and dental anxiety in their children (P> 0.05).

Conclusions: There is an association between dental anxiety in mothers and dental anxiety in children, and therefore more attention should be paid to the role of mothers in preparing the child for dental visits.

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