Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
J Dent. 2024 Mar;142:104841. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.104841. Epub 2024 Jan 20.
The objective of this review is to determine the global prevalence of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) in early childhood and identify its related factors.
The systematic review utilized three common English-language databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science). Two independent researchers performed a systematic search to include observational studies on young children published from 2000 to 2023. They extracted information on prevalence of DFA, assessment tools used, study sites, respondents, and children's dental visit experiences.
A total of 2,895 studies were identified, and 25 studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis. The pooled prevalence of DFA among 2- to 6- year-old children was estimated to be 30 % (95 % CI=25, 36). Children without dental visit experience (OR=1.37, 95 % CI=1.18, 1.59) and children with caries experiences (OR=1.18, 95 % CI=1.09, 1.27) had higher odds of experiencing DFA compared to those with dental visit experience or caries-free status. The most commonly used assessment tools in the included studies were the Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale (32 %, 8/25), Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (20 %, 5/25), and Dental Anxiety Question (20 %, 5/25).
This systematic review reveals that approximately one-third of young children globally experience DFA. Children who lack dental visit experience or have caries experiences are at increased risk of DFA. Clinicians can use this information to make informed decisions regarding dental care provision for young children.
This study provides comprehensive information on the global prevalence of dental fear and anxiety and its associated factors in early childhood. The findings can assist clinicians in understanding and addressing DFA in their dental care approach for young children.
PROSPERO (CRD42023446464).
本综述旨在确定全球幼儿期牙科恐惧和焦虑（DFA）的流行率，并确定其相关因素。
系统综述利用了三个常用的英文数据库（PubMed、EMBASE 和 Web of Science）。两名独立的研究人员进行了系统搜索，以纳入 2000 年至 2023 年发表的针对幼儿的观察性研究。他们提取了 DFA 流行率、使用的评估工具、研究地点、受访者以及儿童牙科就诊经历的信息。
共确定了 2895 项研究，其中 25 项研究符合分析纳入标准。2 至 6 岁儿童 DFA 的汇总患病率估计为 30%（95%CI=25,36）。与有牙科就诊经历或无龋齿状态的儿童相比，没有牙科就诊经历的儿童（OR=1.37，95%CI=1.18,1.59）和有龋齿经历的儿童（OR=1.18，95%CI=1.09,1.27）发生 DFA 的可能性更高。纳入研究中最常用的评估工具是 Frankl 行为评定量表（32%，8/25）、儿童恐惧调查量表-牙科分量表（20%，5/25）和牙科焦虑问卷（20%，5/25）。
本系统综述表明，全球约有三分之一的幼儿存在 DFA。缺乏牙科就诊经历或有龋齿经历的儿童患 DFA 的风险增加。临床医生可以利用这些信息，在为幼儿提供牙科护理时做出明智的决策。
本研究提供了全球幼儿期牙科恐惧和焦虑及其相关因素的流行率的全面信息。这些发现可以帮助临床医生了解和处理幼儿牙科护理中 DFA 的问题。
PROSPERO（CRD42023446464）。
