Dental fear and its related factors among patients managed in a paediatric dental clinic of a university hospital in Tanzania

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental fear and its related factors among patients managed in a pediatric dental clinic of a university hospital in Tanzania. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out at the paediatric dental clinic of the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) between November 2018 and April 2019. It included all paediatric dental patients aged between 6 and 12 years. A questionnaire used in this study captured information regarding patient's socio-demographic characteristics and the number of previous visits to the dental clinic. A fifteen-item Children's Fear Survey Schedule - Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) was used to assess the dental fear status in these pediatric patients. Results: A total of 223 paediatric dental patients aged between 6 years and 12 years were included in the study. The mean age of participants was 9.52 ± 1.74 years with a male to female ratio ofl: 1.04. The means CFSS-DS score was 31.1 ± 8.57. Fear scores were high for Injections (3.37 ± 1.13), a stranger's touch (2.81 ± 1.08) and choking (2.69 ± 0.99). The presence of dental fear was found to be significantly associated with the parents' education level (p=0.001) and previous dental visits (p < 0.001 ). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of paediatric dental fear was low among the participants of this study. The education level of parents and previous dental visits were determinants of dental fear in children. Injections, being touched by strangers, and choking were the common fear-provoking factors.

Management of dental anxiety: a survey of Nigerian dentists

Background: Dental anxiety is a major issue with respect to provisions of and access to dental care. We evaluated the knowledge and management of anxiety among Nigerian dentists. Materials and Methods: The study population included 192 Nigerian dentists recruited during an annual national dental conference in Abuja. The conference was a meeting point for dentists with post graduation experience ranging between 1 and 32 years and from different part of the country. They completed a structured questionnaire on dental anxiolysis. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16. Results: Of the interviewed dentists; 122 (55.1) practiced in teaching hospitals and 24 had their specialization in child dental health. A total of 34 (19.8) dentists had been exposed to formal trainings on the practice of dental anxiolysis. Of this number; 66 had basic life support training and only 11.8 had refresher training programs. The most preferred route of administration of anxiolytic drugs was oral (57.3). Most of the respondents were of the view that dental anxiolysis should not be instituted for all dental patients. Conclusion: The interviewed Nigerian dentists were knowledgeable and managed dental anxiety. Although some of them had no formal training on dental anxiolysis; the major consensus is that dental anxiolysis should not be instituted for all dental patients

Dental Anxiety: Investigative and Management Techniques often Employed in a Cross Section of Nigerian Specialist Dental Clinics

Background: Information on the pattern of dental anxiety management in Nigeria is currently not available. Aim: The study was designed to determine the awareness and frequency of application of dental anxiety assessment questionnaires as well as the current pattern in the management of dental anxiety in Nigeria. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted using structured questionnaires distributed among dental residents and house officers in Nigerian dental schools. Information requested included demographic variables; frequency of presentation of dental anxiety; awareness and frequency of application of dental anxiety questionnaires. The respondents were also asked to rate the frequency of application of the outlined dental anxiety management techniques on a 5-point Likert scale. The median score and the range for each technique was determined and compared between the male and female respondents. Results: A total of 96 questionaires were sent out to dental surgeons of all grades. Response was obtained from 86 giving a response rate of 90. Only 23 (26.7) respondents were aware of dental anxiety questionnaires while only 13 (15.1) have seen the instrument applied. The percentage of patients with dental anxiety was estimated by the respondents to be 20. Behaviour therapy was the most frequently employed dental anxiety management technique. The female respondents employ behaviour therapy and intramuscular sedation more frequently. Conclusion: The awareness and frequency of application of dental anxiety questionnaires appeared poor. Behaviour therapy was the most frequently employed dental anxiety management technique. It appears the female respondents employ behavior therapy and intramuscular sedation more frequently