Alaki Sumer M, Al-Raddadi Ruba A, Sabbagh Heba J
Pediatric Dentistry Department, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2023 Jan 10;18(4):778-786. doi: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2022.12.021. eCollection 2023 Aug.
The purpose of this study was to assess the association between electronic screen time and dental anxiety and behaviour among children aged six to twelve years during dental examination, prophylaxis, and topical fluoride application.
This was a cross-sectional study which included 402 paediatric dental patients aged six to twelve years who came to King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The data was collected from September 2020 to December 2021. Self-constructed questionnaire was used to collect data from the patient and his/her guardian. It was comprised of eight demographic questions as well as 13 multiple-choice questions regarding the patients' screen time. Child dental anxiety was assessed by using Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale (ACDAS). Assessment of child's behaviour was done by using Frankl Behavioural Rating Scale.
This study had a response rate of 100%. Out of the 402 participants, 248 (61.7%) were found to have anxiety while 154 (38.3%) were not. Of all participants 274 (68.2%) were cooperative and 128 (31.8%) were not. A Significant relationship between anxiety and behavioural problems during a dental visit and the participant's total exposure hours to electronic devices was found (p < 0.001). Children exposed to electronics at the age of two years or before displayed more anxiety and uncooperative behaviour (p < 0.001).
early exposure to electronic screens, especially for entertainment purposes and longer exposure can be associated with increased dental anxiety and uncooperative behaviour in children age 6-12 years.
Parents should be educated about the risks of permitting their children to use electronic devices and encouraged to replace such devices with activities that incorporate physical activity.
本研究旨在评估6至12岁儿童在牙科检查、预防治疗和局部应用氟化物期间，电子屏幕使用时间与牙科焦虑及行为之间的关联。
这是一项横断面研究，纳入了402名年龄在6至12岁之间、前往沙特阿拉伯吉达阿卜杜勒阿齐兹国王大学牙科医院就诊的儿科牙科患者。数据收集时间为2020年9月至2021年12月。使用自行编制的问卷从患者及其监护人处收集数据。问卷包括8个人口统计学问题以及13个关于患者屏幕使用时间的多项选择题。采用阿比尔儿童牙科焦虑量表（ACDAS）评估儿童牙科焦虑。使用弗兰克尔行为评定量表评估儿童的行为。
本研究的应答率为100%。在402名参与者中，248名（61.7%）被发现有焦虑情绪，而154名（38.3%）没有。在所有参与者中，274名（68.2%）表现出合作，128名（31.8%）不合作。研究发现，牙科就诊期间的焦虑和行为问题与参与者接触电子设备的总时长之间存在显著关联（p < 0.001）。两岁及以前接触电子设备的儿童表现出更多焦虑和不合作行为（p < 0.001）。
早期接触电子屏幕，尤其是用于娱乐目的且接触时间较长，可能与6至12岁儿童牙科焦虑增加和不合作行为有关。
应向家长宣传允许孩子使用电子设备的风险，并鼓励他们用包含体育活动的活动来替代此类设备。
