Heebie Jeebies among children and parents towards dentistry

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the anxiety in children which would help the pedodontist to modify the child's behavior and deliver the treatment effectively and efficiently. The present study consisted of 100 subjects which included 50 school going children (6- 12 year) of age and their parents accompanying them to the dentist. A Facial Scale was used to assess children’s anxiety levels, while Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) was used to assess Parents anxiety level. Results of this study shows that 27% children show high anxiety level, 50% children have light anxiety level and 23% children show intermediate anxiety level with different dental instruments and equipment. The study concluded that assessment of parents fear prior to child’s dental treatment may help the clinician in modifying behavior management strategies also whenever parental anxiety is high, efforts to reduce the parents’ level of anxiety may also benefit the child. Aim: Assessment of anxiety in children which would help the pedodontist to modify the child's behavior and deliver the treatment effectively and efficiently. Objectives: To correlate the dental anxiety level of children and their parents. To evaluate the dental instruments which elicits the maximum anxiety in children.