EVALUATION OF DENTAL ANXIETY IN A 4-12 YEARS OLD CHILDREN SAMPLE

Abstract

The study aim was to assess the level of dental anxiety in a group of children aged 4-12 years and to identify the factors associated with them. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on a sample of 70 children that were asked to complete the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (faces) (MCDASf) questionnaire. The children’s dental behaviour was assessed using the Frankl’s behavioral rating ​​scale. Results. A cumulative distribution was observed for the negative behavior of children (Frankl ≤ 2) in equal percentages between the two genders. The results of the Frankl behavioral rating ​​scale were relatively correlated, with reduced statistical significance with the children gender (r = -0.294, p <0.05). There was a statistically significant and reversed proportional high correlation bteween the Frankl scale and the global value of MCDASf (r = -0.791, p <0.01). Conclusions. Anxiety in pediatric dentistry is a phenomenon that affects all age groups investigated by us, and requires a correct and complex approach from an early age.

Keywords

• dental anxiety
• frankl behavioural rating scale
• mcdasf
• child