Stressful situations for toddlers: indications for dental anxiety?

The present study was undertaken to examine if daily anxiety-provoking situations can predict dental anxiety in a toddler. Parents of 73 toddlers were sent 2 questionnaires: 1) the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS), and 2) the Inventory of Stressful Situations (ISS), a list of 16 questions developed to assess anxiety in daily stressful situations. This investigation was repeated one year later. Forty-eight parents completed all questionnaires. Results show a clear correlation between daily stressful situations at the age of 3 and dental anxiety at the age of 3 (r = .62, p < 0.01, two-tailed) and at the age of 4 (r = .49, p < 0.01, two-tailed). Regression analyses revealed that the ISS at the age of 3 predicted dental anxiety at the age of four; however, it did not contribute additionally if the CFSS-DS score at the age of three was included.

Conclusions: Daily anxiety-provoking situations in 3-year-old children may be related to dental anxiety at the age of 4.