Non-pharmacological management of dental fear and anxiety in children and adolescents: An umbrella review

Authors

  • JS Quek National Dental Centre Singapore Department of Restorative Dentistry, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
  • B Lai National Dental Centre Singapore Department of Restorative Dentistry, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
  • AU Yap National Dental Centre Singapore Department of Restorative Dentistry, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore
  • S Hu National Dental Centre Singapore Department of Restorative Dentistry, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, Singapore Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2022.23.03.11

Keywords:

Dental anxiety, Child behaviour, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review

Abstract

AIM: To synthesise knowledge on the relative efficacies of non-pharmacological strategies for managing dental fear and anxiety (DFA) in children and adolescents, specifically their effects on behaviour, anxiety levels and pain perception. METHODS: An umbrella review on non-pharmacological strategies used to manage DFA in children and adolescents was conducted based the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Searches were performed in 5 main electronic databases and the grey-literature. Two independent reviewers selected and appraised the included studies using the AMSTAR2 tool. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. CONCLUSION: Audio-visual distraction was effective in reducing anxiety during a variety of dental procedures including those requiring local anaesthesia. A combination of techniques may be more effective in managing DFA in children and adolescents, possibly improving pain perception and cooperative behaviour.