This prospective observational case-control study aims to evaluate the association between perceived stress levels in children and their parents and the presence of clinically diagnosed bruxism in children aged 8-11 years. Children with bruxism and age-matched controls will be recruited from the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. Child perceived stress, parental perceived stress, parenting-related stress, and parental awareness of child stress/anxiety will be assessed using validated questionnaires. Associations between stress-related measures and bruxism status will be analyzed.

This study is a prospective observational case-control study designed to investigate the association between perceived stress levels in children and their parents and the presence of clinically diagnosed bruxism in children aged 8-11 years. Participants will be recruited from children presenting to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Dentistry for dental treatment.

Children will be allocated into two groups based on clinical evaluation: a bruxism group consisting of children diagnosed with bruxism, and a control group consisting of children without clinical signs of bruxism. Bruxism diagnosis will be established using parental reports and standardized clinical examination findings, including tooth wear assessed according to the Smith and Knight Tooth Wear Index, temporomandibular joint findings, masticatory muscle symptoms, and intraoral soft tissue signs.

Perceived stress levels in children will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale for Children (8-11 years). Parenting-related stress will be evaluated using the Parenting Stress Scale. Parents' own perceived stress levels will be measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Parental awareness of the child's stress and anxiety will be assessed using the parent form of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) developed by Birmaher et al.

All assessments will be conducted at baseline during the clinical visit. The primary outcome is the association between child perceived stress levels and bruxism status. Secondary outcomes include associations between parental stress-related measures and child bruxism status. Statistical analyses will be performed to evaluate group differences and associations between stress measures and the presence of bruxism.

Inclusion Criteria:

Children aged 8-11 years Mixed or permanent dentition Presentation to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry For bruxism group: clinically diagnosed bruxism For control group: absence of clinical signs of bruxism Written informed consent obtained from parent/legal guardian

Exclusion Criteria:

Absence of signed informed consent Presence of chronic or systemic diseases

The study population consists of children aged 8-11 years who present to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Bezmialem Vakıf University Faculty of Dentistry for dental treatment, along with their parents. Children will be classified into the bruxism and control groups based on clinical examination and parental reports.

Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared.