Evaluation of Child Anxiety Prior to Dental Care by Means of Modified Venham Picture Test, RMS Pictorial Scale and Facial Image Scale Tests

Abstract Objective: To evaluate child anxiety prior to dental care; to compare the results obtained by applying different anxiety tests and to assess whether anxiety is related to age or gender, and to identify which test children find to be more attractive and easier to understand. Material and Methods: The research was performed with 30 children of both genders and age group of 4-9 years distributed into Group 1 = children aged 4, 5 and 6 years and Group 2 = children aged 7, 8 and 9 years. Modified Venham Picture Test (VPT), RMS Pictorial Scale (RMS-PS) and Facial Image Scale (FIS) were the anxiety evaluation tests used. For statistical analysis, the Shapiro Wilk Normality test, Spearman correlation and the Independent Proportions test were used. Results: Modified VPT identified 70% anxiety-free children, RMS-PS 90%, and FIS 87%. RMS-PS and FIS scores had moderate correlation (51%). Regarding age groups, no significant difference was found between proportions of group 1 and group 2. According to gender, in 11 girls, the modified VPT test identified 3 (27%) with some anxiety degree; RMS-PS test identified 1 (9%) and FIS test 2 (18%). In 19 boys, modified VPT test identified 6 (32%) with some anxiety degree; RMS-PS test identified 2 (11%) and the FIS test 2 (11%). The test that was the easiest to understand was the modified VPT (54%) and regarding attractiveness, modified VPT and RMS-PS presented similar results, 40% each. Conclusion: All three tests were able to identify anxiety prior to dental care. The evaluation of results showed that the more the children could identify themselves with the test, the more they found it to be easy and attractive.

Evaluation of Children's and Adolescents's Anxiety Previously Dental Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: To evaluate levels of anxiety in children and adolescents related to age and experience of visits to the dentist using the modified Venham Picture Test (VPTm). Material and Methods: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study with convenience sample. Children and adolescents of both sexes, subdivided into age groups of 6-9 years (A1 and A2) and 10-13 years (B1 and B2), in the waiting room of a Dental Clinic, were grouped according to the experience of visits to the dentist (have been to the dentist / have never been to the dentist). Descriptive statistics were mean, standard deviation and frequency of cases. The Kolmogorov- Smirnov (K-S) was used for normality analysis, with 95% significance level. Inferential statistics was performed using the Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney tests, with p<0.05. Results: In total, 60 children and 60 adolescents were evaluated, 65 (54.16%) males and 55 (45.83%) females. No differences were observed between genders in groups A1 and A2 (p = 0.30) and B1 and B2 (p = 0.94). The highest means of the VPTm scale were observed in groups A2 and B2 (2.87 ± 2.30 and 2.13 ± 1.29) and the lowest in groups A1 and B1 (1.13 ± 1.45 and 1.20 ± 1.29), respectively. Statistical differences were observed for the mean VPTm scores between age groups A1 and A2 (p = 0.004) and B1 and B2 (p = 0.018). Conclusion: The level of anxiety was inversely proportional to age, so younger children were more anxious; it was also observed that children and adolescents who had never been to the dentist tended to be more anxious.

Barriers in the Treatment of Early Childhood Caries amongst the General Dentists - A Cross Sectional Study in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Objective: To find out the barriers in treating early childhood caries in children by general dentists. Material and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was undertaken among fifty general dentists in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, following a simple random sampling. Each selected candidate was given a barrier in childhood caries treatment (BaCCT) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies, mean, median and standard deviation. Results: The general dentists exhibited quite a few barriers in providing treatment for early childhood caries. The children don't like to sit on dental chair (74%), they don't like the sound of drill (78%) and they are fearful of dental treatment (86%). Providing care for children can be stressful and troublesome for the dentist (80%) and that they feel time constrained, i.e they do not spend much time with children (70%). Training in the field of management of child behaviour enhances their ability to handle early childhood caries. Conclusion: The general dentists should be given proper training in handling children in their curriculum or through continuing education programmes so that they can act as a larger workforce to be able to treat early childhood caries effectively and efficiently for the benefit of society.

Factors for determining dental anxiety in preschool children with severe dental caries

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and socioeconomic indicators associated with dental anxiety in preschool children with severe dental caries. A total of 100 children between 3 and 5 years of age were selected during a dental screening procedure. The selection criteria were having at least one tooth with dental caries and a visible pulpal involvement, ulceration, fistula, and abscess (PUFA) index of ≥1 in primary teeth. Before the clinical examination or any treatment procedure was performed, we evaluated the children’s dental anxiety using the Facial Image Scale (FIS). Parents completed a questionnaire on socioeconomic conditions, which included the family structure, number of siblings, parental level of education, and family income. A dentist blinded to FIS and socioeconomic data performed the clinical examination. Poisson regressions associate clinical and socioeconomic conditions with the outcome. Most of the children (53%) experienced extensive dental caries (dmf-t ≥ 6), and all children had severe caries lesions, with a PUFA index of ≥1 in 41% and that of ≥2 in 59%. The multivariate adjusted model showed that older children (4–5-year old) experienced lower dental anxiety levels compared with younger children (3-year old) (RR = 0.35; 95%CI: 0.17–0.72 and RR = 0.18; 95%CI: 0.04–0.76, respectively), and children with three or more siblings were associated with higher levels of dental anxiety (RR = 2.27; 95%CI: 1.06–4.87). Older age is associated with low dental anxiety, and more number of siblings is associated with high dental anxiety in preschool children, whereas the severity or extent of dental caries is not associated with dental anxiety.

Does the trait anxiety affect the dental fear?

Abstract The aims of the present study were to evaluate possible associations between trait anxiety, dental fear and the predictors of these interactions including demographic characteristics and dental history of patients applied to the dental care center in Ankara, Turkey. A sample of 607 participants (mean age: 21.02 ± 2.32) responded to a Turkish version of the Modified Dental Fear Survey (MDFS), the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T) and a questionnaire regarding previous negative dental experience. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between dental fear and the independent variables including trait anxiety, age groups, education level, dental visit frequency, experience and the source of dental knowledge. There was a trend for increasing in trait anxiety scores with greater levels of dental fear in a medium level of the dental fear group (OR = 1.055, 95%CI [1.025–1.086]; p < 0.001) and in a high level of the dental fear group (OR = 1.090 [1.057–1.124]; p < 0.001). Comparing to the low level of dental fear group; participants of medium dental fear level intended more likely to go to the dentist when they have a complaint instead of regularly going (odds ratio; OR = 3.177, 95%CI [1.304–7.741]; p = 0.011). Participants of high dental fear level tended to be less likely to have experienced no problem (OR = 0.476, 95%CI [0.284–0.795]; p = 0.005) than the low level of the dental fear group. We strongly indicate that higher dental fear scores have a predisposition of having high trait anxiety scores. Unpleasant dental experiences increased the risk for high dental fear levels. Patients with dental fear tended only to visit a dentist when necessary, avoiding regular visits.

Perception of dental care among children

Children that arrive at dental offices with fear and anxiety usually tend to resist conditioning mechanisms. The aim this study was to evaluate children's perception about dental treatment and to identify factors that influence this perception. Material and Methods: A random sample of 100 children of both genders aged 3 to 12, who were treated at the Department of Dentistry of a University (group I) and at a Children's Hospital (group II), was selected. A structured questionnaire about the child's perception about dental care was applied and the children were asked to draw a picture of this topic. Most of children expressed a positive perception in the questionnaire and in the drawings (93.8%). This positive perception was more pronounced in group I (94%) and in children aged 3 to 5 years (100%), particularly in girls (78%). The main cause of fear was the use of needles (42.4%). Many children (24.2%) reported to prefer the noninvasive procedures. A positive perception of dental treatment was observed in the majority of the sample. Therefore, dental pediatricians must be aware of the perception of children for better conditioning (Au)

Factors associated with dental anxiety in brazilian children of 5 to 8 years

Objective:To test the agreement between the evaluators index oral health, to conduct a preliminary analysis possible associated factors to dental in children, and show the prevalence of dental anxiety in children and their parents. Material and Methods:It is a pilot study composed for sample with 100 children (5-8 years) from Recife, Pernambucostate. The dates were collected by a questionnaire administered in a face to face interview with the parents. The anxiety were available through the Dental Anxiety Question and with the oral health measured by index CPOD , and others 26 variables associate were available. Results: The prevalence of dental anxiety in children was 46% and 28% in parents. Association was observed between dental anxiety with their satisfaction with friends (p <0.005). We identified 10 possible associated factors to child dental anxiety (p <0.25). Conclusion:The satisfaction with friends are inversely associated with dental anxiety in children and those new studies analyzing dental anxiety in children should include the investigation of other variables to test for associations

Percepção de responsáveis sobre medo odontológico e técnica alternativa para remoção de cárie / The caregivers’ perception of dental fear and alternative technique for caries removal

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a percepção de responsáveis sobre os fatores preditores de medo odontológico infantil e aceitação de uma técnica alternativa (abrasão ultrassônica) para a remoção de cárie. Cento e sessenta e dois responsáveis por crianças atendidas em uma instituição pública responderam a um questionário semiestruturado. A média de idade das crianças foi de 9 anos, sendo 52,5% meninos. Resultados mostraram que, gostavam de ir ao dentista 73,5% e 34% apresentavam-se nervosas/ansiosas antes de serem atendidas. A maioria dos responsáveis julgou importante a realização de estudos para descoberta de novos métodos para substituição do motor (p> 0,05) e autorizariam a utilização da abrasão ultrassônica (p > 0,05). Conclui-se que, aproximadamente, metade das crianças tinha medo ou ficavam ansiosas durante o atendimento, e que os responsáveis são receptivos à utilização de técnicas alternativas de remoção de cárie.

Dental anxiety among university students and its correlation with their field of study

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the subjective ratings of dental anxiety levels among university students enrolled at Jordan University of Science and Technology. In addition, the present study aimed to explore the sources of dental anxiety and the impact of gender on the perceived dental anxiety and the correlation between field of study and dental anxiety level.Material and Methods: The Modified Corah Dental Anxiety Scale was used to measure dental anxiety among the study population. Six hundred subjects were recruited into the study from Jordanian undergraduate students from the faculties of Medicine, Engineering, and Dentistry. Results: Five hundred and thirty five complete questionnaires were returned, which accounts for a response rate of 89.2%. The totals of the mean anxiety scores were the following: Medical students, 13.58%; Engineering students, 13.27% and dental students, 11.22%. About 32% of the study population has scored 15 or more. Dental students had the lowest percentage of those who scored 15 or more. Surprisingly, the medical students were responsible for the highest percentage of those who scored 15or above. Although women demonstrated statistically higher total dental anxiety scores than men (p= 0.03), the difference between both genders was small and could be clinically insignificant. The students were anxious mostly about tooth drilling and local anesthetic injection. Conclusion: Lack of adequate dental health education may result in a high level of dental anxiety among nondentaluniversity students in Jordan. Further studies are required to identify the correlates of dental anxiety among university students.

Oral health-related KAP among 11- to 12-year-old school children in a government-aided missionary school of Bangalore city.

BACKGROUND: To organize community-oriented oral health promotion programs systematic analysis of the oral health situation would be needed, including information on oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). AIM: The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward oral health among 11 to 12-year-old school children in a government-aided missionary school of Bangalore city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised of 212 children (Male: 108; Female; 104) who were in the age group of 11-12 years studying in a government-aided missionary school of Bangalore city. Data on oral health KAP were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical significance was determined by Chi-square test. RESULTS: This survey found that only 38.5% of the children brush their teeth two or more times a day. Pain and discomfort from teeth (35.1%) were common while dental visits were infrequent. Fear of the dentist was the main cause of irregular visit in 46.1% of study participants. High proportion of study participants reported having hidden sugar at least once a day: soft drinks (32.1%), milk with sugar (65.9%), and tea with sugar (56.1%). It was found that 5.4% and 3.9% of study participants smoke and chew tobacco, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results of this study suggest that oral health KAP of study participants are poor and needs to be improved. Systematic community-oriented oral health promotion programs are needed to improve oral health KAP of school children.

Medo e ansiedade no tratamento odontológico / Fear and anxiety in dental treatment

O presente estudo tem como objetivo ressaltar que o medo e a ansiedade podem interferir no tratamento odontológico. Nesta revisão de literatura, faremos uma relação entre etiologia, conseqüências e abordagem nos pacientes que sofrem com esses distúrbios. Dessa forma, o profissional munido de conhecimento sobre o assunto, certamente poderá atender melhor seus pacientes.

This study intends to point out how fear and anxiety can interfere in the dental treatment. In this literature review, we will show the relation among their etiology, consequences and management, so that dentists can increase knowledge and improve treatment.

Cambios en la presión sanguínea y frecuencia del pulso durante la extracción dental en aborígenes Tobas / Changes in blood pressure and pulse rate during dental extraction in Toba aborigines

El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar los cambios en la presión sanguínea y frecuencia del pulso durante la extraccion dental en una comunidad aborigen Argentina. Un total de 40 pacientes normotensos fueron agrupados de acuerdo al tipo de tratamiento dental: grupo test (exodoncia), n=20, edad media = 34 14; grupo control (tratamiento restaurativo), n=20, edad media = 27 14. La frecuencia del pulso, la presión sistólica y diastólica fueron registradas en diferentes tiempos, antes, durante y al final del tratamiento. En todos los sujetos, el anestésico local utilizado fue carticaína al 4 por ciento con adrenalina 1:100.000. La Escala de Ansiedad Dental de Corah (EAD) fue aplicada en todos los casos con la finalidad de deterinar la relación entre la ansiedad dental y la respuesta cardiovascular. La presión sanguínea y la frecuencia del pulso se incrementaron significativamente durante la extracción dental (p < 0.01) y estos cambios estuvieron positiva y altamente correlacionados con la puntuación de la EAD. En contraste, la frecuencia del pulso y la presión sanguínea no cambiaron significativamente durante el tratamiento restaurativo, y la correlación con la puntuación de la EAD fue moderada. Estos resultados indican el efecto que la extracción dental puede tener sobre el sistema cardiovascular y la importancia de minimizar la ansiedad dental en este grupo aborigen

Factores que pueden generar miedo al tratamiento estomatológico en niños de 2 a 4 años de edad / Factors that may generate fear to dental treatment in children aged 2-4

Se estudiaron los factores que más influyeron en la aparición del miedo al tratamiento estomatológico en niños de 2 a 4 años de edad, apoyados en las encuestas y en la primera visita al estomatólogo. Se encuestaron 50 niños cubanos con sus madres y 27 estomatólogos en relación con los factores que pueden generar miedo al tratamiento estomatológico. Como resultado se obtuvo que: los niños con buen estado de salud se comportaron mejor en la consulta que aquellos que se enferman con frecuencia; la separación de los padres como factor emocional influyó en el miedo al tratamiento dental; la mayoría de las madres se mostraron ansiosas en el momento de la consulta y ante la separación de los hijos; existían estomatólogos con pocos años de experiencia en el trabajo con niños y que no habían recibido cursos de superación en Psicología Infantil y Odontopediatría. El comportamiento del niño fue más difícil ante la separación materna, en lo que contribuyeron las características psicológicas propias de la edad y la ansiedad materna a la hora de la consulta. Se encontró que hubo muchos niños con reacción negativa a la separación de la madre y que a medida que aumentó la edad, el comportamiento del niño en el consultorio estomatológico, la ansiedad materna a la separación del hijo y la ansiedad del niño a la separación de la mamá, disminuyeron(AU)

The factors influencing the most on the appearance of fear to dental treatment in children aged 2-4 were studied based on the surveys and on the first visit to the stomatologist. 50 Cuban children with their mothers and 27 stomatologists were surveyed about the factors that may provoke this fear. It was observed that children in good health behaved better at the stomatologist's office than those getting sick frequently. The parents' separation influenced as an emotional factor on fear to dental treatment. Most of the mothers felt anxious at the time of consultation and on being separated from their children. There were stomatologists with a few years of experience and that had not received upgrading courses of Child Psychology and Odontopediatrics. The child's behavior was more difficult when he was separated from the mother. The characteristics inherent to the age and the mother's anxiety at the time of consultation contributed to it. It was found that many children had a negative reaction to the separation from their mothers and that as the age increases the mother and the child's anxiety to be separated from each other decreased(AU)

Dental fears among the students of university of Jordan

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dental anxiety and/or dental phobia. Also, the study has tried to identify the psychological etiology of dental anxiety as perceived by Jordanian students Methodology: The study population consisted of 425 students from.Jordan University who participated in this study [121 males and 304 females] mean age 22 years. The participants were selected from six different colleges excluding dental college. To fulfill the purpose of this study data were collected using the Arabic version of Dental Anxiety Inventory [DAI], which was developed originally, by Marlies and colleagues [5]. The authors added two open questions related to etiology and visiting dentists The results provide evidence that the Arabic Version of DA has good reliability and validity. The results of the study revealed that half the study group did not suffer from dental anxiety [49.17%] while 27.5% students suffered mild dental anxiety. 20.9% students suffered moderate DA and only 2.3% suffered severe dental phobia. Dental anxiety found to be more prevalence and severe among females than males P<.00 1. Also, results indicated that 44% of the students attributed the cause of dental anxiety to aversive experiences during childhood [dental care associated with pain] 15% of students developed the symptoms through negative experiences by one of the parents or older siblings.This study showed that the prevalence and severity of dental anxiety are higher than the previous studies found. The study addresses some recommendations in order to prevent and manage dental anxiety and phobia. Dental anxiety [DA] is a common and distressing problem among individuals of varying ages and sexes. It was found that dental anxiety has negative impact on the dentist-patient relationship. Phobic patients avoid dentist's visits, which leads to advanced oral pathology and eventually loss of teeth'