THE PREVALENCE OF DENTAL ANXIETY IN CHILDREN FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIESAND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PERSONALITY-TRAITS

The prevalence of dental anxiety and the association between dental an xiety and personality traits were examined in a population-based sampl e of 895 US urban children, from 5 to 11 years of age, from low-income families. Dental anxiety was reported by the child using the Dental S ubscale (DS) of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule, and behavioral pr oblems and personality traits were evaluated by parent report on the C hild Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Mean DS scores were 31.1 (SD = 10.3) f or boys and 34.3 (SD = 11.0) for girls. CBCL score means were 33.3 (SD = 23.2) for boys and 28.5 (SD = 19.1) for girls. The hypothesized rel ationship between DS and CBCL scores in this population was not demons trated.