Children’s perceptions of dentist’s attire and environment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim: To assess the children’s perceptions of the dentist’s attire and environment. The protocol is available in the PROSPERO database. Search strategies: Systematic searches in the databases were performed in Cochrane, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science from their inception to December 12, 2019, Google Scholar, Open Grey, and ProQuest Dissertations. Selection criteria: Criteria consisted of descriptive studies regarding the above matter while two authors assessed the information. The risk of bias was also performed. Results: Databases showed 1,544 papers and a two-phase assessment selected 21 studies in narrative and 9 in the quantitative synthesis. A meta-analysis demonstrated no difference between white coat and child-friendly attire (OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.16–2.49; n = 3,706) and a decorated vs plain dental clinic was the preference of the children’s majority (OR = 8.75; 95% CI 1.21–63.37; n = 150). Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is no difference in the children’s perception, white coat vs child-friendly attire; however, children prefer a decorated dental clinic.