title: Dental anxiety and dental pain in 5- to 12-year-old children in Recife, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental anxiety is a common problem, related to dental pain, which contributes to irregular dental attendance and avoidance of dental care, resulting in poorer oral health during childhood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate anxiety, pain and/or discomfort related to dental treatment in 5- to 12-year-old children examined during a public holiday.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional survey study was carried out with parental permission in 970 children of both sexes. Socio-economic status, dental anxiety and dental pain experience data were obtained through a questionnaire answered by parents or guardians. Dental anxiety was measured using the dental anxiety questionnaire (DAQ). The statistical analyses were performed using Pearson's Chi-square test. The intra-examiner agreement was high (κ = 0.80) and the inter-examiner was κ = 0.79.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of dental anxiety was 39.4 % and that of a history of dental pain was 44.9 %. Dental anxiety among children was associated with the child never having had a dental appointment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The anxiety correlated positively with a history of dental pain (p < 0.001), the mother's low level of schooling (p = 0.037), parents' dental anxiety (p < 0.001), and negatively with visits to the dentist (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high percentage of children presented with dental anxiety and a history of dental pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Pernambuco, R. Jacobina, 45/2102, Recife, PE, 52011180, Brazil.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Colares
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franca
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Amorim Filho
authors.forename: M C A
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016854:Dental Anxiety; D003729:Dental Care; D006801:Humans; D014098:Toothache / Q000453:epidemiology