Athanasiadou P, Arhakis A, Balli D, Zarkadi A E, Arapostathis K, Boka V
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025 Apr;26(2):375-383. doi: 10.1007/s40368-024-00993-5. Epub 2025 Jan 9.
Identifying factors that disrupt cooperation during radiographic examination, such as dental fear and the gag reflex, is crucial for achieving optimal radiographic outcomes. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the levels of dental fear and cooperation amongst children aged 4-9 years undergoing intraoral radiographic examination at different stages of dental treatment. It also investigates the impact of the gag reflex on children's behaviour during intraoral radiographic examination.
A total of 89 children with no prior dental experience were randomly divided into two groups (G1, G2). Children in G1 underwent radiographic examination during their first dental visit, whilst children in G2 underwent the same after the completion of dental prophylaxis at their second visit. Variables assessed included dental fear, gagging and behaviour during radiographic examination. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analysis were performed to assess the variables that have an impact on behaviour during radiographic examination and on dental fear, respectively.
Children in G2 were more likely to exhibit better behaviour during radiographic examination than G1children (OR: 4.709, p value = 0.036). In addition, G1 children demonstrated a greater increase of CFSS-DS score compared to G2 children (β = - 0.698, p value = 0.001) after the second appointment. Gagging during radiographic examination was significantly associated with lower Frankl score during the examination (p = 0.015).
Gradual exposure to radiographic examination may significantly enhance children's cooperation during the procedure and confine the progression of dental fear. In contrast, the presence of a gag reflex can compromise patient's cooperation during intraoral radiographic assessment.
识别在口腔X光检查过程中破坏合作的因素，如牙科恐惧和 gag 反射，对于实现最佳的X光检查结果至关重要。本研究的目的是评估4至9岁儿童在牙科治疗不同阶段接受口腔X光检查时的牙科恐惧和合作水平。它还研究了 gag 反射对儿童口腔X光检查期间行为的影响。
总共89名没有牙科治疗经历的儿童被随机分为两组（G1、G2）。G1组儿童在首次牙科就诊时接受X光检查，而G2组儿童在第二次就诊完成牙齿预防治疗后接受相同检查。评估的变量包括牙科恐惧、X光检查期间的作呕情况和行为。分别进行多变量逻辑回归和线性回归分析，以评估对X光检查期间行为和牙科恐惧有影响的变量。
G2组儿童在X光检查期间比G1组儿童更有可能表现出更好的行为（OR：4.709，p值 = 0.036）。此外，第二次预约后，G1组儿童的CFSS-DS评分相比G2组儿童有更大的增加（β = -0.698，p值 = 0.001）。X光检查期间的作呕与检查期间较低的Frankl评分显著相关（p = 0.015）。
逐渐接触X光检查可能会显著提高儿童在该过程中的合作，并限制牙科恐惧的发展。相比之下，gag反射的存在会损害患者在口腔X光评估期间的合作。
