Qualitative study on parental behavior as the source of dental fear development as reported by preschool students in Bandung

The Role of Parental Verbal Threat Information in Children's Fear Acquisition: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Children can acquire fears of novel stimuli as a result of listening to parental verbal threat information about these stimuli (i.e., instructional learning). While empirical studies have shown that learning via parental information occurs, the effect size of parental verbal threat information on child fear of a novel stimulus has not yet been measured in a meta-analysis. We conducted a systematic review and meta analysis to assess the effect of parents' verbal statements on their children's fear acquisition. Additionally, we explored potential moderators of this effect, namely, parent and child anxiety levels, as well as child age. WebOfScience, Pubmed, Medline, and PsycINFO were used to identify eligible studies that assessed children's (30 months to 18 years old) fear of novel stimuli after being exposed to parental verbal threat information. We selected 17 studies for the meta-analysis and 18 for the systematic review. The meta-analysis revealed a significant causal effect of parental verbal threat information on children's fear reaction towards novel stimuli [g = 1.26]. No evidence was found for a moderation of verbal learning effects, neither by child or parent anxiety levels nor by child age. The effect of parents' verbal threat information on children's fear of novel stimuli is large and not dependent on anxiety levels or child age.

Evaluating Dental Fear and Anxiety in Pediatric Patients Visiting a Private and a Public Dental Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan

Background One of the biggest hurdles in treating pediatric patients is managing dental fear and anxiety. Some factors that contribute to an increase in dental anxiety are fear of pain, the presence of unknown individuals, a change in the setting of an environment, and separation from parents. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate dental fear and anxiety in pediatric patients, between the ages of 6 and 12 years, visiting private and public dental hospitals using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS). Methods A total of 280 children, 140 in a private dental hospital setting and 140 in a public dental hospital setting, were enrolled in this study. The purpose of the study was explained to the accompanying guardian of the patient and written consent was taken. The CFSS-DS was explained verbally in Urdu and the questionnaire was given to guardians alongside the patients which they were asked to fill out following their dental treatment. Result The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using the unpaired t-test. The highest dental fear mean scores and standard deviation in a private dental hospital were for "choking" (3.25 ± 1.21), "the noise of the dentist drilling" (3.24 ± 1.04), and "having somebody put instruments in your mouth" (3.19 ± 1.06), whereas, for a public dental hospital, the highest fear score was recorded in "choking" (3.17 ± 1.69), "injections" (3.07 ± 1.72), and "people in white uniforms" (1.90 ± 1.21). Conclusion The study showed a higher prevalence of dental fear and anxiety in a private dental setting when compared to a public dental setting. Factors responsible for an increase in dental fear need to be assessed for each patient and then treatment given accordingly.

Developing an Instrument to Measure Maternal Knowledge and Attitude of Oral Health on Children Under 3 Years

OBJECTIVE

 Parental knowledge, belief, and attitude about oral health affect children's dental cleaning behavior. Further research on maternal knowledge and attitude about early-age children's oral health has been suggested to identify factors related to pediatric dental and oral health. For that purpose, a measurement instrument is needed. The research aimed to develop an instrument to measure maternal knowledge and attitude about under 3-year-old children's oral health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 Using a validity-based approach, we held a series of basic consultation (workshops and interviews) to identify the conceptually different domains. Instrument items were derived from relevant theories. Cognitive interviews were conducted to ensure that the items were properly understood. The items were first tested among the population calibration samples (n = 150). All instrument items were analyzed for reliability and validity.

RESULTS

 In total, 15 items were derived from Bloom's theory of learning and were developed for the knowledge instrument, while 10 others were developed for the attitude instrument. The reliability analysis yielded Cronbach's α scores of 0.620 for the knowledge instrument and 0.565 for the attitude instrument. All items were considered valid based on Pearson's correlation test results.

CONCLUSION

 The instruments on maternal knowledge and attitude about under 3-year-old children's oral health consisted of three dimensions, respectively. Both instruments have been tested and analyzed and therefore are applicable for use.

Relational Model between Parental Dental Belief and Formation of Dental Fear among Preschool Children in Indonesia

Objective  Parents’ behavior and belief can strongly impact preschool children. Parents play an important role in the formation of dental fear. The aim of the research is to analyze parental dental belief model as a source of dental fear among preschool children.

Materials and Methods  The research was undertaken at 15 kindergartens in Bandung City, Indonesia, which were chosen by means of multistage cluster random sampling. The participants of the research were parents and children aged 3 to 6. The research involved analysis of quantitative data to assess the relational model between parental dental belief and the formation of dental fear among children. While parental dental belief was measured using the Dental Belief Scale, children’s dental fear was measured using the Indonesian transadaptation of the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale based on parents’ report. The results were analyzed statistically by using structural equation modeling which is a combination of regression and factor analysis.

Results  The results indicate that the direct effect structural model of parental dental belief significantly fit the formation of dental fear among children in Bandung ( t -value = 2.41).

Conclusion  The research concludes that parents’ perception and behavior—the latter contributing more—correlate with the formation of dental fear among preschool children.