Association Between Dental Fear and Anxiety and Behavior Amongst Children During Their Dental Visit
Arshia Ummat1, Sreejeeta Dey1, Anupama Nayak P1, Nitin Joseph2, Ashwin Rao1 and Karuna Y. M11Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher education, Manipal, Light house hill road- 575001, India.
2Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Light house hill road- 575001, India.
Corresponding Author E-mail: anupama.np@manipal.edu
Abstract: Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) serves as significant problem in child patient management as it leads to greater prevalence and increased severity of the disease associated with delayed dental visits. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively predict children dental behaviour and identify children at risk of Behaviour Management problems. Study of factors influencing DFA and its association with behaviour in children during first dental visit. The study included 209 children (5-14 years). DFA levels were assessed using 3 standardised questionnaires i.e. Facial Image Scale (FIS), Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), Children’s Fear Survey Schedule – Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS). The behaviour of the child was then assessed using Frankl’s Behaviour Rating Scale (FBRS). The data were analysed, and a correlation was established between DFA and behaviour using statistical analysis. Presence of DFA according to FIS is 13.4%, according to DAS is 15.2% and according to CFSS-DS is 17.7%. Maximum participants showed positive behaviour (81.8%) according to FBRS. Factors causing maximum Dental anxiety according to DAS was anticipation of treatment (26.30%) and factor which caused maximum dental fear according to CFSS-DS was injections (45.4%). There is association between DFA and behaviour in children during first dental visit. This study will help assess the factors which lead to dental fear and anxiety in children and also find a correlation between dental fear and anxiety and behaviour management problems which can help the Paedodontist to predict various behaviour management problems and to avoid the factors which lead to them before the initiation of the dental treatment. This can lead to a decrease in the fear and anxiety levels of children which will further lead to better treatment and in turn better case management.
Keywords: Behaviour Rating Scale; Child Behavior; Dental Anxiety; Dental Care; Problem Behavior; Surveys and Questionnaires Back to TOC