Oral-health-related quality of life among children with and without dental fear.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to determine whether the oral-health-related quality of life (ORHQoL) and its dimensions differed among children with and without dental fear when different characteristics of fear were measured.


METHODS
The participants were 11- to 14-year-old Finnish child volunteers from the Oulu University Hospital cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) treatment register (n = 51) and schoolchildren (n = 82). Dental fear was measured with 'Treatment of dental decay' and 'Attending dentist' dimensions of the modified Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale and a single question. ORHQoL was measured with CPQ(11-14). Background variables were gender and the dental care experienced.


RESULTS
The response rates were 87% and 51% in the schoolchildren's and CLP groups, respectively. Those who were afraid of 'Treatment of dental decay' had higher mean CPQ(11-14 )total scores (33.2) and higher scores for social (8.8) and emotional well-being (9.0) than those who were not fearful (24.0, 6.2, and 5.8, respectively, P < 0.05), indicating poorer ORHQoL. Among those with experience of orthodontics, the association between dental fear and social and emotional well-being was weaker than among those with no experience of orthodontics.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental fear may have a negative effect on a child's ORHQoL, especially on social and emotional well-being. Positive minor treatment experiences might weaken this effect.
Luoto
Anni
A
Department of Community Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. aluoto@mail.student.oulu.fi
Lahti
Satu
S
Nevanperä
Terhi
T
Tolvanen
Mimmi
M
Locker
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D009970:Orthodontics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012016:Reference Values