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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Anxiety and depression associated oral health problems in pediatric populations: A systematic review and
Sifan Wang1, Yicheng Zheng2, Hai Ming Wong3
1Division of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Objective:
Anxiety and depression are common mental disorders and frequently coexist with oral health problems (OHPs) that impair overall well-being and quality of life. While the association of mood disorders and OHPs is well documented in adults, evidence regarding their association in pediatric populations remains unclear.
Methods:
We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and reference lists to identify eligible studies. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Pooled estimations, including odds ratios (ORs) and standardized mean differences, were calculated with random- or fixed-effects models determined by I2-assessed heterogeneity.
Results:
A total of 33 studies were included, 27 of which were eligible for meta-analysis, involving a total of 31,834 participants across 15 countries. The pooled prevalence of anxiety and depression were 57% (95% CI: 41%-73%) and 38% (95% CI: 20%-56%), respectively, among individuals with OHPs, with considerable heterogeneity. The pooled estimations tended to support the hypothesis that anxiety and depression were significantly associated with OHPs, with Odds Ratios (ORs) of 2.67 (95% CI: 1.43-4.97, I2 = 89.2%) and 1.93 (95% CI: 1.22-3.04, I2 = 71.1%). In subgroup analyses, both anxiety and depression appeared to be associated with bruxism and temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).
Conclusion:
Based on the available evidence, anxiety and depression were associated with OHPs, particularly bruxism and TMDs, in pediatric populations. Given the high heterogeneity and methodological variability across included studies, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Multidisciplinary collaboration is recommended to promote both mental and dental health at an early age.
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