Nelson T M, Huebner C E, Kim A, Scott J M, Pickrell J E
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Washington, 6222 NE 74th Street, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA,
Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2015 Jun;16(3):283-90. doi: 10.1007/s40368-014-0161-9. Epub 2014 Dec 17.
This study examined factors related to young children's distress during preventive oral health visits. Additionally, associations between parent-reported child behaviour during the dental visit and during previous medical visits were tested.
One hundred twenty-two children under 3 years of age enrolled in a government insurance programme for low-income children were seen for examination, prophylaxis, and fluoride application at a university-based dental clinic. Child distress was rated by parents on a numerical rating scale.
The average age of children enrolled was 23.5 ± 7.3 months. The majority (55.7 %) were judged to have little or no distress pre-examination. Mild or no distress during the examination was reported for 42.6 % of the children and severe distress was reported for 39.4 %. Intensity of distress during the examination was not associated with the child's age, gender, dental health, or previous experience with dental care. Distress was also unrelated to the caregiver's education level or own dental health. Intensity of distress was associated with the child's pre-dental examination distress and distress during prior medical examinations and injections.
Dental professionals can better anticipate child distress by assessing children before a dental examination and enquiring about previous medical experiences. Strategies to prepare parents and alleviate distress may help children cope with the preventive dental visit.
本研究调查了与幼儿在预防性口腔健康检查期间的痛苦相关的因素。此外，还测试了家长报告的孩子在看牙期间及之前就医期间的行为之间的关联。
122名参加政府低收入儿童保险计划的3岁以下儿童在一家大学牙科诊所接受检查、预防治疗和涂氟。家长通过数字评分量表对孩子的痛苦程度进行评分。
入组儿童的平均年龄为23.5±7.3个月。大多数（55.7%）儿童在检查前被判定几乎没有或没有痛苦。42.6%的儿童在检查期间报告有轻度或无痛苦，39.4%报告有严重痛苦。检查期间的痛苦强度与孩子的年龄、性别、口腔健康状况或之前的牙科护理经历无关。痛苦也与照顾者的教育水平或自身口腔健康无关。痛苦强度与孩子看牙前的痛苦以及之前就医检查和注射期间的痛苦有关。
牙科专业人员可以通过在牙科检查前评估孩子并询问其之前的就医经历，更好地预测孩子的痛苦。让家长做好准备并减轻痛苦的策略可能有助于孩子应对预防性牙科检查。
