Pediatric dental anxiety: a preliminary cognitive survey using the MCDASf scale in two Italian cohorts

Background: The term "odontophobia" refers to a phenomenon of extreme fear of dentists and dental treatment in patients, and during dental treatment can make it difficult for dentists to manage their behavior, creating an obstacle to the success of the treatment itself. This study reports a cognitive survey on odontophobia in an Italian pediatric population. Methods: The survey was structured anonymously, the "Face version of the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale" (MCDASf) questionnaire was used. In the sample analyzed, 140 participants,75 female and 65 male subjects, were included. The subjects were recruited in two different dental pediatric units. Every cohort was composed of 70 subjects. Results: The total mean score on the questionnaire was 22.43 in cohort 1, and 23.46 in cohort 2. Dental extraction emerged as the situation that generated the most concern, with an average score of 4.13 and 3.94. Similarly, local anesthetic injections showed a high degree of anxiety with a mean score of 3.8 and 3.91, respectively. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for an empathetic and targeted approach to address dental anxiety in all age groups to ensure positive experiences and promote optimal oral health. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of addressing dental anxiety from an early age in order to provide as much support as possible to patients and promote a positive and comfortable dental environment.