The influence of gender on the relationship between dental anxiety and oral health-related emotional well-being

作者：Carrillo Diaz Maria^*; Crego Antonio; Romero Maroto Martin

来源：International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 2013, 23(3): 180-187.

DOI：10.1111/j.1365-263X.2012.01242.x

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013; 23: 180187 Background and aim. Children's dental fear and/or anxiety (DFA) has been associated with declines in oral health and quality of life. The influence of gender on the relationship between DFA and oral health-related well-being in children is analysed. Design. The decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index was obtained from 161 school-aged children (714years old). Data from children's self-assessed oral health, oral health-related emotional well-being and dental anxiety were collected using questionnaires. Results. Low scores of emotional well-being were associated with negative self-assessment of oral health and high levels of dental anxiety. Females reported decreased oral health-related emotional well-being compared with males. The analysis of possible moderating effects confirmed that gender influenced the relationship between oral health and DFA. The DMFT index was not associated with self-assessed oral health status, emotional well-being or DFA. Conclusion. For girls, high levels of DFA were associated with low levels of oral health-related emotional well-being. In contrast, dental fear and/or anxiety did not influence oral health-related emotional well-being in boys.

• 出版日期2013-5