Risk of Infection by COVID-19, Dental Fear and Anxiety in Parents of Preschool Children

Mamani-Cori V.; Palomino-García M.N.; Padilla-Cáceres T.C.; Vega H.A.; Calcina-Asillo T.P.; Villanueva-Alvaro N.S. · Journal of International Dental and Medical Research (2024)

Resumen

The perceived risk of contracting COVID-19 generated great concern among the population, intensifying fear and anxiety regarding visits to clinical settings, such as dental appointments. The aim of the study was to determine the bidirectional relationship between the perceived risk of COVID-19 infection and both dental fear and the anxiety experienced by parents when imagining their children in dental situations during the pandemic. The study was quantitative, relational, and cross-sectional; the sample consisted of 294 parents of children from 14 preschool institutions in the city of Puno, Peru. It was approved by the local Research Ethics Committee. Data were collected through a pre-coded and designed online questionnaire, and the variables were analyzed using Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient (CI: 95%; p<0.05). A bidirectional relationship was found between the perceived risk of COVID-19 infection and the dental fear of the study subjects (p<0.001), as well as the dental anxiety experienced by parents when imagining their children in dental situations (p<0.001). There was also a significant correlation between dental fear and anxiety (p=0.000). The parents perceived a high risk of their children contracting a COVID-19 infection and exhibited moderate levels of dental fear and anxiety. © (2024), (University of Dicle). All Rights Reserved.

Instituciones: Universidad de San Martín de Porres; Universidad Nacional del Altiplano