How can child life specialists help address dental fear and anxiety in children?: A review

Abstract

Background

Painful pokes, buzzing drills, uncomfortable pressure, foreign tastes, and disturbing noises are all events that a child can experience in a single dental appointment. Each event has the potential to trigger dental fear and anxiety in pediatric patients. Dental fear and anxiety are common for children and can lead to the neglect of dental care into adulthood. Many behavioral interventions currently in practice focus on immediate behavior changes rather than long-term psychosocial well-being of children.

Objective

The purpose of this paper was to review the literature of pediatric dental fear and anxiety and provide reasoning for child life specialist intervention in the pediatric dental clinic.

Results

Rooted in developmental theory, child life specialists advocate for the psychosocial care of children in various healthcare environments, including dental clinics. Child life specialists work to minimize pediatric fear and anxiety using various strategies, including psychological preparation. Psychological preparation is accomplished by the provision of developmentally appropriate education, therapeutic or medical play, and preparation books.

Conclusions

Further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of child life specialist intervention, such as psychological preparation, in pediatric dentistry at reducing pediatric dental fear and anxiety.