IADR Abstract Archives
Family-Related Factors Contributing to Children's Dental Fear and Anxiety
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the family-related factors that contribute to children's dental fear and anxiety and the strategies parents employ to minimize or avoid these negative emotions.
Methods: The research was conducted through a case study approach, utilizing qualitative research methods. An in-depth interview was conducted to fifteen (15) parents of sixth-grade pupils who have dental fear and anxiety. Thematic analysis approach in qualitative research was applied in treating the data gathered during the interviews.
Results: The study highlights the different family-related factors and their impact on children's dental fear and anxiety, and the strategies parents employ to mitigate these negative emotions. On the family-related factors that contribute to children’s dental fear and anxiety, four themes emerged: lack of regular dental check-ups due to financial reasons, parental anxiety towards dental visits, personal history of dental fear, and witnessing a family member's painful dental procedure. Four themes from the impact of family-related factors on children’s dental fear and anxiety were identified: lack of access to dental care due to financial constraints, influence of parental dental fear and anxiety, personal history of dental fear from childhood due to previous negative experiences, and influence of peers and social environment. On the strategies parents employ to minimize children’s dental fear and anxiety, regular dental check-ups, getting used to visiting the dentist, and debunking myths surrounding dental procedures were identified as themes.
Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of addressing family-related factors that contribute to dental fear and anxiety in children. Dental professionals, parents, and caregivers can play a crucial role in promoting lifelong oral health and preventing the development of dental fear and anxiety in children. The study provides several implications for further research, including understanding the role of culture in dental fear and anxiety and developing new strategies and interventions to address this issue.
Methods: The research was conducted through a case study approach, utilizing qualitative research methods. An in-depth interview was conducted to fifteen (15) parents of sixth-grade pupils who have dental fear and anxiety. Thematic analysis approach in qualitative research was applied in treating the data gathered during the interviews.
Results: The study highlights the different family-related factors and their impact on children's dental fear and anxiety, and the strategies parents employ to mitigate these negative emotions. On the family-related factors that contribute to children’s dental fear and anxiety, four themes emerged: lack of regular dental check-ups due to financial reasons, parental anxiety towards dental visits, personal history of dental fear, and witnessing a family member's painful dental procedure. Four themes from the impact of family-related factors on children’s dental fear and anxiety were identified: lack of access to dental care due to financial constraints, influence of parental dental fear and anxiety, personal history of dental fear from childhood due to previous negative experiences, and influence of peers and social environment. On the strategies parents employ to minimize children’s dental fear and anxiety, regular dental check-ups, getting used to visiting the dentist, and debunking myths surrounding dental procedures were identified as themes.
Conclusions: This study emphasizes the importance of addressing family-related factors that contribute to dental fear and anxiety in children. Dental professionals, parents, and caregivers can play a crucial role in promoting lifelong oral health and preventing the development of dental fear and anxiety in children. The study provides several implications for further research, including understanding the role of culture in dental fear and anxiety and developing new strategies and interventions to address this issue.