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Patient Management

251 - Parental Anxiety and Timing of Children's First Dental Visit

Saturday, May 23, 2026
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Parinaz Zaree bavani, DDS

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    Children’s Hospital of Michigan -— Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI
    Children's Hospital of Michigan
    Detroit, Michigan, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Donna Kritz-Silverstein, PhD (she/her/hers)

    Professor
    University of California San Diego
    University of California San Diego
    San Diego, California, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • BS

    Basam Shamo, DDS

    Pediatric Dentist
    Children’s Hospital of Michigan -— Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI
    Hazel Park, Michigan, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • KP

    Kristen C. Ponichter, DMD

    Children's Hospital of Michigan
    Hazel Park, Michigan, United States

Abstract:

Purpose:
Parental dental anxiety may influence decisions regarding children’s dental care, including the timing of the first dental visit. This study examines the association between parental dental anxiety and the age at which children attend their first dental appointment.

Methods:
Parents of children aged 1–6 years presenting for their first dental visit at a pediatric dental clinic will be recruited (n = 91). Participants will complete an anonymous survey assessing parental dental anxiety, demographic characteristics, perceived importance of oral health, and barriers to early dental care. Statistical analyses will include descriptive statistics and inferential tests to examine associations between parental anxiety levels and timing of the child’s first dental visit, before and after adjustment for relevant demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Results:
Higher parental dental anxiety was significantly associated with older age of child at first dental visit .Higher parental dental anxiety score was negatively correlated with perceived importance of oral health and positively correlated with self-reported fear-driven delay. Most common motivator for child's first dental visit was routine check-up , followed by concern about tooth appearance
. Additional factors such as parental education level and reported barriers like transportation further contribute to delays.

Conclusions:
Understanding the role of parental dental anxiety in delaying children’s first dental visits may help inform targeted interventions to reduce parental fear, encourage timely preventive care, and improve oral health outcomes in young children.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University.