Izvorni znanstveni članak
Factors Predicting a Child’s Dental Fear
M. Majstorović
I. Škrinjarić
D. Glavina
L. Szirovicza
Sažetak
The aim of the present study was to determine and assess the variables most involved
in the etiology of a child’s dental fear. The study was performed on a sample of 89 children
aged from 5.5 to 12.5 years and their mothers. The sample comprised 37 children
with experience of dental trauma (19 boys and 18 girls) and 52 children without experience
of dental trauma (28 boys and 24 girls). Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) was applied
to evaluate the level of the child’s (CDAS) and mother’s (MDAS) dental anxiety.
Broome’s Child Medical Fear Questionnaire (CMFQ) was used to assess the child’s fear
of medical treatment. Hollingshead Two Factor Index of Social Position (ISP) was calculated
to assess socio–economic status of the family. Cluster analysis differentiated one
group of dentally anxious children with the highest level of maternal anxiety (MDAS =
14.44) and the lowest socio–economic status (ISP = 41.94). Another group of extremely
anxious children (CDAS = 14.31) showed the highest fear of medical treatment (CMFQ =
22.08) and rather low socio–economic status. One group represented children with the
lowest CDAS (5.63), lowest MDAS (8.46), and lowest CMFQ (13.54). Linear regression
analysis showed high correlation between previous traumatic medical experiences and
a child’s dental anxiety using the linear model CDAS’ = b0 + b1 CMFQ. The analysis
revealed that a child’s dental fear mostly depends on early negative medical experience,
while maternal dental anxiety and socio-economic circumstances seem to be of less importance.
Ključne riječi
Hrčak ID:
28434
URI
Datum izdavanja:
17.12.2001.
Posjeta: 1.583 *