ArticleInternational journal of paediatric dentistry2026
Prevalence and Comorbidity of Dental Phobia in a Representative Population of 16-Year-Olds in Norway.
Article in International journal of paediatric dentistry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Prevalence and pattern of psychological symptoms in form of dental fear and anxiety in children and adolescents with traumatic dental injuries: a systematic review.European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry · 2026Pooled it
- Age Adaption and Psychometric Properties of the Swedish Version of the Four-Components and Stimulus Module from the Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF) for Children and Adolescents.Dentistry journal · 2026Article
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3 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAlthough dental fear and anxiety are common in children and adolescents, they are not well-defined constructs and may not capture critical clinical aspects. Dental phobia (DP) is more well-defined as a specific phobia that includes the criteria of functional impairment.
aimTo investigate the prevalence and covariates of DP.
designA representative sample from two birth cohorts in Trondheim, Norway (n = 666) was assessed at age 16. A diagnostic interview using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia was conducted with both parent and adolescent. Personality traits, intelligence, and executive functioning were also assessed.
resultsThe prevalence of DP was estimated to 3.7% (95% CI: 2.7%-5.1%), whereas 8.0% (95% CI: 6.5%-9.9%) had intra-oral injection phobia (I-OIP). Generally, DP was not associated with anxiety, depressive disorders, personality traits, or poor executive functioning. However, DP was comorbid with social anxiety disorder and had more symptoms of ADHD, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and lower verbal intelligence than those without DP.
conclusionsDental phobia is prevalent in adolescence and exists independently from other anxieties, although persons with DP more often experience social anxiety, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulties understanding advanced language. These tendencies could lead to challenges with interaction and comprehension during dental visits.
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