What type of study is this?

This is a Cross-Sectional Study study.

May 13, 2026BMC Oral Health0 citationsOpen Access

Dental fear and anxiety and its sociodemographic associations among public and private schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 years in Depok, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

WFWisnu FadilaNational Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia MRMugia Bayu RahardjaNational Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia ASAnne Agustina SuwargianiPadjadjaran University

Key Points

This study examines the prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated with dental fear and anxiety in children.
Cross-sectional study with 460 schoolchildren aged 8-12 years in Depok, Indonesia.
Sociodemographic data collected via questionnaires adapted from established scales.
Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, linear regression, and ordered logit regression.
53.2% of children exhibited mild dental fear and anxiety, 43.6% showed high dental fear.
Triggers included dental injections and tooth drilling.
Older age and attending private schools were linked to lower anxiety levels.

Abstract

Abstract Background Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) affect dental visits and oral health outcomes in children. Sociodemographic factors linked to DFA are understudied in Indonesia. Objectives This study examined the prevalence, triggers, and sociodemographic factors associated with DFA among schoolchildren aged 8–12 years in Depok City, Indonesia. The goal is to inform targeted interventions in school-based settings. Methods A total of 460 schoolchildren aged 8–12 years were recruited from five elementary schools in Depok City by using randomised multistage cluster sampling. The participant’s parents also participated in the study. The questionnaires were adapted from the Indonesian Modified Dental Anxiety Scale with Facial Image Scale pictorial response aids (MDAS + FIS), Riskesdas, and Susenas and were administered by trained enumerators. The DFA scores were analysed as continuous and categorical data: no DFA (score 5), mild (6–11), and high (> 11). The covariates included age, sex, birth order, school grade, and school type. The statistical methods employed included descriptive statistics, linear regression, ordered logit regression, and generalised ordered logit regression. Sensitivity analyses for alternatives outcomes were conducted. Results The mean DFA score was 11.1 (SD: 3.46), median 11 (IQR 9–13). In total, 53.2% of children had mild DFA, and 43.6% had high DFA. Injections (mean 3.13) and tooth drilling (mean 2.79) were the most common triggers. Older age (11–12 vs. 8–10 years), attending private schools, and higher birth order were consistently associated with lower DFA. Sex had weaker associations. Multivariate analysis confirmed these associations, with private schools and older age being the strongest predictors of reduced DFA. Sensitivity analyses affirmed robustness. Conclusions There is a high prevalence of mild to high DFA. Early DFA strategies are needed to improve dental attendance and cooperation among Depok City schoolchildren. Lower DFA is associated with older age, later birth order, higher grades, and private schools. The major triggers were dental injections and drilling. These findings provide locally relevant evidence to tailor long-term oral health strategies.

Ask AI

Helpful

Bookmark

View Full Paper