Childhood dental fear: A problem to solve

In this thesis, the principal aim was to study the possible aetiological factors of childhood dental fear (psychological aspects, parental dental fear, parental presence or absence during dental treatment). A second aim was to present the normative data on childhood dental fear and caries in a representative sample and to define the Greek dental fear cut-off points in school age children. Another objective was to examine the usefulness of a specific technique (Parental Presence/Absence-PPA) in the improvement of the child dental behaviour and to give advises for the clinical child dental situation.
This thesis has added a new tool for paediatric dentists in Greece, since from now on they can use the child dental fear cut-off points of the CFSS-DS, in order to predict a child’s behaviour management problems. However, there is a need for a pan-Hellenic study, in order for these cut-off points to be more applicable in specific situations. The results of this thesis added also to our knowledge of the aetiological factors of child dental fear, since it was shown that children’s psychological functioning can give information about their dental fear. The role of the parents during dental treatment was shown to be important, moreover since we can “use them as a dental behaviour tool”, with the PPA technique. This technique is equally effective compared to other behaviour management techniques and is also very accepted by parents, so it’s an advisable strategy. However, when exploring PPA technique’s use, more clinical trials are needed in order to study the role of the parents.