Comparison of Fear of Dentistry between Children with Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization and Children with Permanent First Molars without Hypoplasia

Background: molar incisor hypomineralization (mih) is a developmental enamel defect of the incisor and molars that can lead to fear of dentistry in children. this study aimed to compare the dental fear of children aged 8 to 12 years with mih and children with permanent first molars without hypoplasia in 2020 in isfahan, iran.methods: in this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, the participants included 200 students aged 8-12 years old in isfahan, who were randomly selected from the second to sixth- grade students referred to the clinics. the examination was performed by a dentistry intern using a disposable dental mirror and dental probe on the unit. fifty-two children with mih and 148 children with permanent first molars without hypoplasia were enrolled. the dental subscale of the children’s fear survey schedule (cfss-ds) questionnaire was used to collect information, which includes two sections: demographic information and 15 questions on different areas of fear of dental treatment in children. data were analysed through spss 20 software and using descriptive-statistical tests (frequency and percentage, mean), t test, chi-square test, and logistic regression test. p < 0.05 was defined as a statistically significant level.results: the mean score of dental fear was 15 ± 35 (ranged from 15 to 75) which indicated moderate level of dental fear in the participating children. in whole, 62.5% of children were afraid of dentistry. the rate of dental fear in girls was 9 times higher than in boys (p < 0.05). also, the rate of dental fear in children with mih was 46 times higher than in children who did not have this disorder (p < 0.05). the frequency of dental fear in children with severe disorders was significantly higher than in children with mild defects (p = 0.000). there was no statistically significant difference in terms of dental fear among different age groups (p = 0.313). also, with increasing the number of dental visits, dental fear increased by 1.2 times (p < 0.05), which was statistically significant.conclusion: fear of dentistry in children with mih was significantly higher than in children with molar teeth without hypoplasia.