title: Parent-reported distress in children under 3 years old during preventive medical and dental care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined factors related to young children's distress during preventive oral health visits. Additionally, associations between parent-reported child behaviour during the dental visit and during previous medical visits were tested.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-two children under 3 years of age enrolled in a government insurance programme for low-income children were seen for examination, prophylaxis, and fluoride application at a university-based dental clinic. Child distress was rated by parents on a numerical rating scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average age of children enrolled was 23.5 ± 7.3 months. The majority (55.7 %) were judged to have little or no distress pre-examination. Mild or no distress during the examination was reported for 42.6 % of the children and severe distress was reported for 39.4 %. Intensity of distress during the examination was not associated with the child's age, gender, dental health, or previous experience with dental care. Distress was also unrelated to the caregiver's education level or own dental health. Intensity of distress was associated with the child's pre-dental examination distress and distress during prior medical examinations and injections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental professionals can better anticipate child distress by assessing children before a dental examination and enquiring about previous medical experiences. Strategies to prepare parents and alleviate distress may help children cope with the preventive dental visit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Washington, 6222 NE 74th Street, Seattle, WA, 98115, USA, tmnelson@uw.edu.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Huebner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pickrell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002652:Child Behavior; D002662:Child Health Services; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000523:psychology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009909:Oral Health; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D011203:Poverty; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D005459:Fluorides