Dental Anxiety and Behavior in Young Children Undergoing Different Distraction Techniques

Objective: To evaluate anxiety and behavior in groups of children undergoing various distraction techniques during dental treatment in a public clinic. Material and Methods: The research was a randomized study with a systematic convenience sample consisting of 62 children with 4-6 years (5.18±0.77) in both genders; they were divided in four groups (G1 - control group and three experimental Groups: G2 - mirror and conversation, G3 - toys and G4 - children's stories) and evaluated in the first 2 visits to the dentist. Age and previous experience were also evaluated. The Facial Image Scale (FIS) and the Behavior Rating Scale (BRS) were applied, the data was analyzed using the Chi-square test with a significance level of p < 0.05 and the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: In comparison to the studied variables (anxiety and behavior), the distraction technique during dental care could not reduce anxiety and improve the behavior in all groups in the first visit, but the group receiving the distraction technique with a hand mirror reached the best results in behavior in the second visit (p=0.022; Raj:-2.68). There is no influence on anxiety among children with or without previous experience (p = 0.603), but the age of 4 years showed higher levels of anxiety (p=0.039). Conclusion: Only the distraction technique with the mirror was able to reduce anxiety and improve behavior in the second visit.

Análisis conductual de niños brasileños que participan del "Programa boquita del bebé" ­ Gurupi/Tocantins / Behavioral analysis of Brazilian children participating in the "Baby's Little Mouth Program" at Gurupi-Tocantins / Análise comportamental de crianças brasileiras participantes do "Programa Bo-quinha do Bebê" ­ Gurupi/Tocantins

La respuesta del comportamiento del niño ha sido estudiada en algunas investigaciones y es útil para predecir cómo el niño reacciona al tratamiento odontológico, especialmente los bebés y los niños más pequeños, que es donde se encuentra uno de los mayores desafíos de la odontopediatría. Objetivo: Evaluar el patrón de comportamiento de niños de 3 a 5 años de edad, en un programa preventivo de la municipalidad de Gurupi/Tocantins, Brasil. Materiales y métodos: Este estudio fue evaluado y aprobado por el comité de ética e investigación. Un total de 60 niños, con diferentes perfiles de participación del programa "boquita del bebé" fueron analizadas. Entre ellos, 20 frecuentaban el programa, 20 habían desistido y 20 nunca participaron anteriormente. El perfil de comportamiento fue analizado por un examinador externo en el momento de la higiene bucal (profilaxis) por medio de la escala de comportamiento de Venham. Los datos fueron analizados mediante la regresión de Poisson (α=5%). Resultados: Los niños que presentaron peor comportamiento fueron aquellas que nunca participaron del programa "boquita del bebé" (OR: 3.80 / p=0.008), así como, los niños que no permitían el cepillado en casa (OR: 4.17 / p=0.001) y aquellos que sólo permitían el cepillado en ocasiones (OR: 3.07 / p=0.010). Conclusión: Existe una influencia positiva del programa en el condicionamiento psicológico, en la ansiedad de los niños y en la adopción de hábitos correctos en sus rutinas diarias.

The behavioral response of the child has been studied in some researches and is useful to predict how the child reacts to dental treatment, especially infants and young children, which is one of the greatest challenges of pediatric dentistry. Ob-jective: To evaluate the behavioral pattern of children from 3 to 5 years of age in a preventive program in the municipality of Gurupi /Tocantins, Brazil. Materials and methods: This study was evaluated and approved by the Ethics and Research Committee. A total of 60 children, with different participation profiles of the program "Baby's Little Mouth" were analyzed. Of these, 20 were frequent program participants, 20 were dropouts and 20 had never participated in the program before. The behavioral profile was analyzed by an external examiner, at the time of oral hygiene (prophylaxis), through the behavioral scale of Venham. Data were analyzed using Poisson regression analysis (α = 5%). Results: The children who presented the worst behavior were those who had never participated in the "Baby's Little Mouth" program (OR=3.80; p=0.008), as well as children who did not allow brushing at home (OR=4.17; p=0.001) and those that only allowed brushing someti-mes (OR=3.07; p=0.010). Conclusion: There is a positive influence of the program on psychological conditioning, on the anxiety of children and on the adoption of correct daily habits in their routines.

A resposta comportamental da criança tem sido estudada em algumas pesquisas e sendo útil para prever como a criança reage ao tratamento odontológico, especialmente os bebês e as crianças mais novas, que é onde se encontra um dos maiores desafios da odontopediatria. Objetivo: Avaliar o padrão comportamental de crianças de 3 a 5 anos de idade, em um programa preventi-vo do município de Gurupi/Tocantins, Brasil. Materiais e métodos: Este estudo foi avaliado e aprovado pelo Comitê de ética e pesquisa. Um total de 60 crianças, com diferentes perfis de participação do programa "Boquinha do bebê" foram analisadas. Dentre elas, 20 eram frequentadoras assíduas do programa, 20 eram desistentes e 20 nunca participaram anteriormente. O perfil comportamental foi analisado por um examinador externo no momento da higienização bucal (profilaxia) por meio da escala comportamental de Venham. Os dados foram analisados mediante a Regressão de Poisson (α=5%). Resultados: As crianças que apresentaram pior comportamento foram aquelas que nunca participaram do programa "Boquinha do bebê" (OR: 3,80 / p=0,008), assim como, as crianças que não permitiram escovação em casa (OR: 4,17 / p=0,001) e aquelas que só permi-tiam a escovação às vezes (OR: 3,07 / p=0,010). Conclusão: Existe uma influência positiva do programa no condicionamento psicológico, na ansiedade das crianças e na adoção de corretos hábitos em suas rotinas.

Headaches and pain referred to the teeth: frequency and potential neurophysiologic mechanisms

Objective: To assess frequency of pain referred to the teeth in occipital neuralgia, migraine and tension-type headache. Material and methods: 153 patients presenting with bruxing behavior and craniomandibular disorders (CMDs). Clinical examination, questionnaires, palpation, criteria for CMDs, bruxing behavior (BB), occipital neuralgia (ON), migraine (MIG), tension-type headache (TTH) and pain referred to the teeth. Results: Mean ages in the ON, MIG and TTH patients and controls were about 38.0, 37.0, 33.0 and 36.6 years, respectively (p = 0.17). The frequencies of dental pains in the subgroups ON and MIG were 37.1% and 25% (p = 0.52), ON and TTH, 37.1% and 18.6% (p = 0.03), ON and Controls 37.1% and 6.7% (p = 0.006), MIG and TTH 25% and 18.6% (p = 0.51), MIG and Controls 25% and 6.6% (p = 0.16) and TTH and controls 18.6% and 6.7% (p = 0.15). The frequencies of pain referred to the teeth decreased from the ON to the MIG, and then to the TTH and Control groups (x-square for independence p < 0.002, x-square for trends p < 0.001). Conclusion: The ON subgroup demonstrated the highest frequency of dental pain referred to the teeth. This frequency increased with the severity of pain. Neurophysiological mechanisms may explain higher frequency of referred pain associated with the severity of headache.