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Asthma, ear problems, and dental anxiety among 6‐ to 8‐yr‐olds in Denmark: a population‐based cross‐sectional study
Author(s) -
Wogelius Pia,
Poulsen Sven,
Sørensen Henrik Toft
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/j.0909-8836.2003.00088.x
Subject(s) - anxiety , odds ratio , medicine , asthma , confidence interval , cross sectional study , medical prescription , population , dentistry , pediatrics , psychiatry , environmental health , pathology , pharmacology
The aim of this study was to examine the association between asthma, ear problems, and dental anxiety in children in a population‐based cross‐sectional study. The population included four municipalities in the County of North Jutland, Denmark, in 2001. A total of 1235 children aged 6–8 yr, and their parents, were identified. Data were obtained from a prescription database, from parental‐answered questionnaires, and from dental records. Children with asthma were defined as children that had received prescriptions for both inhaled β 2 ‐agonists and corticosteroids during the past year. Data on ear problems and dental anxiety were obtained from the questionnaires. Dental anxiety was measured using the Children's Fear Survey Schedule–Dental Subscale (CFSS‐DS). Use of asthma‐drugs was associated with dental anxiety (odds ratio = 1.70; 95% confidence interval 0.90–3.22). A history of often ear problems was also associated with dental anxiety (odds ratio = 1.83; 95% confidence interval 1.20–2.80). It is concluded that asthma and ear problems may be risk factors for dental anxiety in children.