ASSESSMENT OF DENTAL ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND MOTHERS DURING FIRST DENTAL VISIT

Dr Priyanka Gupta; Dr Sadanand Kulkarni; Dr Arun Kumar Sajjanar; Dr Niharika Gahalod; Dr Manveen Lamba; Dr Sumit Rajewar

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

ASSESSMENT OF DENTAL ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND MOTHERS DURING FIRST DENTAL VISIT

Dr Priyanka Gupta, Dr Sadanand Kulkarni, Dr Arun Kumar Sajjanar, Dr Niharika Gahalod, Dr Manveen Lamba, Dr Sumit Rajewar

Abstract :

Introduction: Anxiety and fear are common in routine dental practice. Physiological changes in the body such as changes in the heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation are inevitable results of anxiety. Aim and objectives: To evaluate the behavior changes in children aged 4-6 years and correlate the physiological variations in children and their mothers during first dental visit, and assess the influence of maternal anxiety on child�s anxiety. Materials and methods: 60 children of 4-6 years accompanied by their mother visiting the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive dentistry for the first time were selected. Frankle�s behavior rating scale was used to record behavior of children. The blood pressure and heart rate was measured with digital blood pressure and heart rate monitor with wrist cuff and oxygen saturation with pulse oximeter and same were used to evaluate the physiological variations in the mother. Result: Significant Changes in systolic blood pressure and heart rate in children (p=0.0001, p=0.0001) were observed while wating and on completion of the procedure with gradual lowering of blood pressure and heart rate after procedure (p=0.0001) Mothers were anxious while waiting and less anxious after procedure (p=0.0001, p=0.0001). Conclusion: Majority of the children exhibited high anxiety initially while waiting. The anxiety gradually diminished after procedure which was observed through their positive behavior. Maternal anxiety was high while waiting which gradually lowered after procedure the procedure. Hence concluded that maternal anxiety does have some impact on the child�s anxiety at least initially.