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, Deise Ra Kastelic, Luiz Er Volpato, Ana Ts de Campos Neves, Andreza M Aranha, Carolina Castro Martins

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.

How to cite this article: Kastelic DRA, Volpato LER, de Campos Neves ATS, et al. 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.

Keywords: Adolescent; Child; Dentists; Patient preference.

Conflict of interest statement

Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None

Copyright © 2021; Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd.

Figures

Flowchart 1
Flowchart 1
PRISMA flow diagram summarizing article selection
Supplementary Fig. 1
Supplementary Fig. 1
The proportion of the preference for pediatric attire and 95% CI
Supplementary Fig. 2
Supplementary Fig. 2
The proportion of the preference for white attire and 95% CI
Supplementary Fig. 3
Supplementary Fig. 3
Subgroup analysis of the proportion of the preference of pediatric attire according to the sex of the child/adolescent
Supplementary Fig. 4
Supplementary Fig. 4
Subgroup analysis of the proportion of the preference of pediatric attire according to anxiety or not
Supplementary Fig. 5
Supplementary Fig. 5
Subgroup analysis of the proportion of the preference of white attire according to the sex of the child/adolescent
Supplementary Fig. 6
Supplementary Fig. 6
Subgroup analysis of the proportion of the preference of white attire according to anxiety or not
Supplementary Fig. 7
Supplementary Fig. 7
The overall proportion of the preference for a female dentist
Supplementary Fig. 8
Supplementary Fig. 8
The overall proportion of the preference for a male dentist
Supplementary Fig. 9
Supplementary Fig. 9
Subgroup analysis of the preference for a female dentist according to the sex of the child/adolescent
Supplementary Fig. 10
Supplementary Fig. 10
Subgroup analysis of the preference for a male dentist according to the sex of the child/adolescent
Supplementary Fig. 11
Supplementary Fig. 11
The overall proportion of the preference for use of PPE
Supplementary Fig. 12
Supplementary Fig. 12
The overall proportion of the preference for not using PPE

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