Evaluation of parental dental fear and anxiety (DFA) on adolescent dental treatment: A narrative review

Background: Parental dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is an important factor, which has an impact on adolescence receiving dental treatment and maintenance of their oral health. It is necessary to recognize and know how parental DFA affects the dental treatment of children and adolescents. Aim: This narrative review was planned with the objective of evaluating parental DFA influence on adolescent dental treatment. Materials and Methods: A broad search of literature published between 2005 and 2021 from electronic databases through Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar was performed. We included the studies in which parental dental anxiety was a major criterion affecting different dental health conditions. Articles referring to adolescents facing different oral health problems were also included. This narrative review included 12 articles of which 8 cross-sectional studies, 3 longitudinal studies, and 1 descriptive study, all of which met the inclusion criteria and the specified age group of adolescents ranging between 10 and 19 years. Results: After screening 83 abstracts, 12 articles were selected, which included all the inclusion criteria. In this study, we found that parental DFA showed a positive association with their adolescent's DFA, which hinders the dental treatment received. Conclusion: Parental DFA influences the adolescent behavior and can impact the seeking of dental treatment. Hence, it is important to address parental DFA prior to the intervention and treatment. An appropriate address will facilitate in reducing or eliminating DFA in adolescents.