International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry

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VOLUME 14 , ISSUE 1 ( January-February, 2021 ) > List of Articles

Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

Do Children and Adolescents Prefer Pediatric Attire over White Attire during Dental Appointments? A Meta-analysis of Prevalence Data

Deise RA Kastelic, Luiz ER Volpato, Ana TS de Campos Neves, Andreza M Aranha, Carolina Castro Martins

Citation Information : Kastelic DR, Volpato LE, de Campos Neves AT, Aranha AM, Martins CC. Do Children and Adolescents Prefer Pediatric Attire over White Attire during Dental Appointments? A Meta-analysis of Prevalence Data. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021; 14 (1):14-29.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1861

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 14-07-2021

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2021; The Author(s).


Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the preferences of children and adolescents regarding the professional attire used by dentists (pediatric or white attire). Materials and methods: Seven electronic databases were searched without restriction regarding language and publication date. The primary outcome was the preference of patients regarding pediatric or white attire; secondary outcomes were preference for a female or male dentist and the use of personal protective equipment or not. We ran a meta-analysis of prevalence data of preferences, calculating effect estimate (ES), 95% CI, subgrouped by anxiety status and sex of the patient. Z-test of interactions was used to compare prevalence between groups (p < 0.05). Results: Fourteen cross-sectional studies were included, consisting of 5,756 patients with ages ranging from 2 to 15 years. Anxious children preferred more pediatric attire (ES: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.03) than non-anxious children (ES: 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.02) (p = 0.0085). Female dentists were preferred (ES: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.72) over male dentists (ES: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.49) (p = 0.003) in general and by the girls (ES: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.56) but not by boys (ES: 0.20; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.30) (p = 0.036). Conclusion: There is no difference in the preferences of children and adolescents regarding a specific attire. Anxious children and adolescents preferred dentists using pediatric attire. In general, female dentists were preferred over male dentists and also were preference among girls.


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