Effect of information on dental anxiety and behaviour ratings in children

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ABSTRACT

Aim

To establish the effect of information received about dental care on the anxiety level of the child prior to receiving any
form of dental treatment and on their behaviour during dental treatment.

Methods

Eighty-four healthy child patients at their first dental
visit, between the ages of 8 and 13 years attending a paediatric dental clinic in Nigeria participated in the study. Information on their
dental anxiety level was collected using the Dental Subscale of the Child Fear Survey Schedule. The children were asked to identify
their source and type of dental information received. The information given was later categorised into positive or negative for analysis
purposes. The children's behaviour during dental treatment was assessed using Venham's clinical ratings of anxiety and cooperative
behaviour. The mean dental anxiety scores, as well as the mean Venham behavioural ratings, of those that had received information on
dental treatment were compared with those that had never received any information.

Results

Previously received information did not
appear to have any significant impact on the measures of the dental anxiety level of these children neither was there a statistically
significant association between information received and behaviour of the child in the dental chair.

Conclusion

Past information may
play only a minor role in affecting dental anxiety levels and behaviour of the child during dental treatment.

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