The impact of dental anxiety on the oral health of children aged 5 and 8 years: a regression analysis of the Child Dental Health Survey 2013

Introduction Dental anxiety and fear is widely prevalent in the population, including children. This research is a further analysis of the Child Dental Health Survey 2013, to explore the impact of dental anxiety on factors relating to oral health. Aim To explore the relationship between dental anxiety and oral health and the impact dental anxiety has on the quality of family life. Design Regression analysis of data of 4,916 children aged 5 years and 8 years who participated in the Child Dental Health Survey 2013. Setting National Epidemiological Survey in schools in the UK. Materials and methods A series of logistic regression analyses was carried out for markers of oral health and impact of the child's oral health on the family's quality of life. The variables entered as predictors in the models included dental anxiety, socio demographic status and oral health-related behaviours. Results Dental anxiety was associated with poorer oral health on nearly all measures (decay experience p = <0.001, active decay p = <0.001, primary tooth being restored p = 0.010, signs of oral infection p = 0.007) and had a greater impact on their family's quality of life (p = <0.001). Conclusions Dentally anxious children have more dental disease and this has a greater impact on their family's quality of life.