High fear of intra-oral injections: prevalence and relationship to dental fear and dental avoidance among 10- to 16-yr-old children

Abstract

The present study aimed to: (i) estimate the prevalence of self-reported high fear of intra-oral injections, high blood-injury fear, and injection fear; (ii) explore the overlap between high fear of intra-oral injections and high fear of dental treatment; and (iii) evaluate the possible consequence of high fear of intra-oral injections in terms of avoidance of dental care. The sample included 1,441 subjects, 10- to 16-yr of age, attending elementary schools in a county of Norway. Data were collected using questionnaires that were completed in classrooms. The survey instruments used were the Intra-Oral Injection Fear-scale, the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale, the Injection Phobia scale for children, and the Mutilation Questionnaire for children. In total, 13.9% of the children reported high intra-oral injection fear. A strong association was found between fear of intra-oral injections and dental fear. When an intra-oral injection was needed, 10.6% would avoid dental treatment. In multiple regression analysis, high intra-oral injection fear was found to be associated with avoidance of dental treatment (OR = 6.52; 95% CI: 3.99-10.67). It was concluded that high fear of intra-oral injections was prevalent and might lead to avoidance of necessary dental treatment. Hence, intra-oral injection fear should be addressed before treatment of dental fear.

Held still or pressured to receive dental treatment: self-reported histories of children and adolescents treated by non-specialist dentists in Hordaland, Norway

“…Therefore, we could not obtain information on the reasons for non-participation. However, the results on the prevalence of DFA (CFSS-DS) and intra-oral injection fear (IOIF-s) did not differ substantially from a representative study in a similar population with a high response rate (Berge et al 2016). One weakness of our study is the application of seven non-validated items regarding restraint.…”

“…We adopted the term ‘DFA’ to describe all levels of dental fear and anxiety given that the terms ‘fear’ and ‘anxiety’ are often used interchangeably by clinicians. Approximately 5–20% of children and adolescents experience high DFA or high fear of intra-oral injections, with the variation attributed to differences in study populations and study design (Berge et al 2016 ; Klingberg and Broberg 2007 ; Stenebrand et al 2013 ). In the adult population, DFA is associated with reduced oral health (Hakeberg et al 1993 ) and quality of life (Berggren 1993 ).…”

Dental Treatment Effect on Blood Glucose Level Fluctuation in Type 1 Balanced Diabetic Children

“…In his study, Berge et al demonstrated that high fear of intraoral injections was prevalent and might lead to avoidance of necessary dental treatment. 17 …”

‘I Would Rather Be Having My Leg Cut off Than a Little Needle’: A Supplementary Qualitative Analysis of Dentally Anxious Children’s Experiences of Needle Fear

“…Needle fear can be a barrier to receipt of healthcare interventions, including routine vaccinations for preventable serious diseases such as hepatitis B and measles, blood tests and intravenous medications [5,6]. Fear of intra-oral injections has been reported as a specific barrier to both adults and children receiving dental treatment [7,8]. The concept of needle fear amongst those with dental anxiety is not a new one, with a 1988 Japanese study identifying the injection as one of the most stressful elements and a 1995 study of low income American families confirming that injection is a main theme in relation to dental anxiety in children [9,10].…”