High fear of intra‐oral injections: prevalence and relationship to dental fear and dental avoidance among 10‐ to 16‐yr‐old children

The present study aimed to: (i) estimate the prevalence of self‐reported high fear of intra‐oral injections, high blood‐injury fear, and injection fear; (ii) explore the overlap between high fear of intra‐oral injections and high fear of dental treatment; and (iii) evaluate the possible consequence of high fear of intra‐oral injections in terms of avoidance of dental care. The sample included 1,441 subjects, 10‐ to 16‐yr of age, attending elementary schools in a county of Norway. Data were collected using questionnaires that were completed in classrooms. The survey instruments used were the Intra‐Oral Injection Fear‐scale, the Children's Fear Survey Schedule‐Dental Subscale, the Injection Phobia scale for children, and the Mutilation Questionnaire for children. In total, 13.9% of the children reported high intra‐oral injection fear. A strong association was found between fear of intra‐oral injections and dental fear. When an intra‐oral injection was needed, 10.6% would avoid dental treatment. In multiple regression analysis, high intra‐oral injection fear was found to be associated with avoidance of dental treatment (OR = 6.52; 95% CI: 3.99–10.67). It was concluded that high fear of intra‐oral injections was prevalent and might lead to avoidance of necessary dental treatment. Hence, intra‐oral injection fear should be addressed before treatment of dental fear.