Abstract
Background: Fear of needles is common in childhood, with up to 50% being affected to some extent. Fear of intraoral injections can negatively impact children's quality of life and healthcare experiences. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of self-reported fear of intraoral injections and its association with dental fear and reported avoidance of dental treatment among 8 to 10-year-old children.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 184 participants aged 8 to 10 years. Data were gathered using questionnaires that were completed in the diagnosis clinic of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Cairo University. The survey instruments used were the intraoral injection fear questionnaire, the Children Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (Arabic version), and the dental avoidance questionnaire.
Results: The prevalence of reported intraoral injection fear among the participants was found to be 14.1%. The results showed a strong correlation between injection fear and dental fear. When an intraoral injection was needed, 30.4% of participants said they would avoid dental treatment.
Conclusion: Intraoral injections affect fear sensation among eight to ten years old Egyptian children. High intraoral injection fear was associated with dental avoidance. High intraoral injection fear should be evaluated and addressed before dental treatment.
The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov, ID: NCT04335500