Evaluation of children’s dental anxiety levels at a kindergarten and at a dental clinic

Abstract

This study evaluated the dental anxiety levels of preschool children at a kindergarten and at a dental clinic. The anxiety levels of ninety 4-6-year-old (4.99 ± 0.81) preschool children were evaluated according to pulse rates, the facial image scale (FIS), the Venham picture test (VPT), and the Frankl behavior rating scale. The children's mothers were asked to complete the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) forms 1 and 2 (STAI 2 and STAI 2). The sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Pearson's correlation test were used. A statistically significant difference was observed between the children's pulse rates when measured at the dental clinic and those when measured at the kindergarten (p < 0.001). Although the results were not statistically significant, more negative facial expressions were observed in the children at the dental clinic than in those at the kindergarten when assessed using FIS and VPT (p = 0.090 and p = 0.108, respectively). There was a statistically significant correlation between the transient anxiety levels (STAI 1) of mothers and the VPT scores of their children evaluated at the dental clinic (r = 0.506, p < 0.001). The continuous anxiety level of the mothers of males was found to be significantly higher (p = 0.033) than that of the mothers of females (STAI 2). Although the children had been informed about dentistry and were introduced to a dentist at the kindergarten, their anxiety levels seemingly increased as they arrived at the dental clinic. The significant increase observed in the children's pulse rates was a physical indicator that their anxiety levels had increased. It can be concluded that the children felt more anxious at the dental clinic that at the kindergarten.

Application of a projective method for the assessment of children’s dental fear

“…In comparison to other methods available in the literature to assess dental anxiety, like the Venham Picture Test (vpt) and the Visual Analogical Scale of Faces [3], the cdfp presents some peculiarities, such as the impossibility of its application on very young children, due to the limits imposed by their vocabulary and low capacity to concentrate, also, its administration has not been indicated in the dentistry environment. In contrast, the vpt and the Visual Analogical Scale are simple instruments, quickly administered, also in very young children, used to identify the level of anxiety before, during or after a dental session, allowing the professional to workout strategies for behavioral management or adopt techniques for reliving anxiety [21]. However, none of these methods appreciates so much the infant's emotions and perception of dental assistance as the cdfp does.…”

An Introduction to Assessing Dental Fear and Anxiety in Children

“…Even simpler still is the Facial Image Scale, which consists of a range of five faces with facial expressions ranging from very unhappy to very happy [14]. A child simply needs to point to the cartoon that best represents himself or herself at that moment at the instructor's cue [15]. The assessment tools listed above are close ended in nature, providing a framework or a list of questions for the child to answer.…”

Anxiety presented by children facing dental treatment

“…Pediatric patients commonly present anxiety when faced with dental treatment, and this feeling is generally caused by the use of instruments of which children have had no previous and negative previous experiences. It may also be influenced by factors such as age, gender and personality [6,7].…”

“…Dentists' knowledge about the levels of pediatric patients' anxiety before beginning with treatment is important, because this allows professionals to be prepared to deal with the situation and take the necessary steps to reduce its levels [7,8]. For correct management of patients in these cases, professionals must have knowledge about the etiology of this emotional state and of the psychology of children [7].…”