Association of dental hypersensitivity and anxiety in children with molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH)

Aim The objective of this study was to investigate whether dental hypersensitivity and dental fear were linked to the presence and severity of MIH. Methods For this cross-sectional study, 1830 students between the ages of 6 and 12 years were recruited from four randomly selected schools. The Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale questionnaire was used to assess dental anxiety and fear. The children's self-reported dental hypersensitivity resulting from MIH was evaluated using the Wong-Baker Facial Scale and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results MIH was correlated with tooth hypersensitivity, particularly in severe cases. Dental fear was present in 17.4% of the children with MIH, but it was not associated with dental hypersensitivity, gender, or age. Conclusion No association was found between dental fear and dental hypersensitivity in children with MIH.