title: Influencing factors of paediatric dental anxiety levels in an undergraduate dental clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the nature of dental anxiety in paediatric patients, and to identify factors relevant to paediatric dental anxiety in a sample of 5 to 17 year-old children residing in Cairns, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenient sample of 125 children, their parents and corresponding student practitioners were selected. Each was assessed with questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher level of dental anxiety was seen in children who were subject to radiographic examination as part of their treatment (b=0.462; p=0.012). Similarly, children of Asian ethnicity showed higher dental anxiety levels than their Caucasian counterparts (b=1.187; p=0.010). Finally, the childrens' overall dental anxiety levels decreased after being treated by student practitioners (t=2.311;df=124; p=0.022).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children experienced greater anxiety before receiving dental treatment than after. Treatment involving radiographic examination exacerbated dental anxiety and children of Asian descent were more anxious prior to receiving treatment. Further investigation is indicated.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Mahiepala
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Phan
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Kieu
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
authors.forename: J P L
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Koppen
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry and Health Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange, Australia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003740:Dental Clinics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011793:Queensland / Q000208:ethnology; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000523:psychology; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000523:psychology; D013335:Students, Dental; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology