This study's purpose was to examine relationships among dental
anxiety, psychological functioning, coping, and
pain perception in child and adolescent dental patients and their parents. Participants were recruited from private dental offices and included 129 9- to 15-year-old patients and 84 parents. The children completed self-report measures of dental
anxiety, dental coping, and
pain perception, while parents completed self-report measures of dental
anxiety, dental coping, and child's psychological functioning. The
intraclass correlation coefficient method was used to examine each hypothesis. For child-ren, correlational analyses indicated positive relationships between dental
anxiety and total psychological
symptoms, and dental
anxiety and
pain perception. Both child and parent coping measures were examined using principal axis
factor analysis. Clear 2-factor structures (ie, approach and avoidant-based coping factors) emerged. The children's approach-based coping was negatively related to both dental
anxiety and
pain perception; their use of avoidant-based coping was also negatively related to dental
anxiety. Psychological functioning emerged as a mediating variable between dental
anxiety and
pain perception. The findings suggest that dental professionals and clinicians should consider dental
anxiety and general psychological functioning to reduce
pain perception in the office. Additionally, the child's coping type and approach should be considered in
treatment planning.
