Assessment of Children's Dental Anxiety During the Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Utilizing Child Drawing: Hospital (CD:H) Picture Test
Assessment of Children's Dental Anxiety During the Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Utilizing Child Drawing: Hospital (CD:H) Picture Test
Changes in the dental office environment during the pandemic may affect the children's dental anxiety.
This double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical study aimed to assess children's dental anxiety focusing on changes in the dental office environment with the Child Drawing: Hospital (CD: H) picture test.The results showed that most children exhibited positive or very positive behavior and were not significantly affected by changes in the dental environment or clinical attire. The evaluations from the psychiatrist and dentist using CD: H were highly consistent.
The study involved 120 children aged 5-7 years. All patients and their parents were informed about the purpose and method of the study before the study and signed informed consent forms.
Children's behaviors and attitudes before the dental exam were assessed using the Frankl behavioral scale. The children were then divided into two groups:The Pandemic Clinical Conditions (PCC) group, who were examined in an isolated dental office with special attire, and the Conventional Clinical Conditions (CCC) group, who were examined in a standard dental office with typical clinical attire. After the exam, the children were asked to draw a picture, which was then evaluated by a pediatric dentist and child psychiatrist using CD: H.
The results showed that most children exhibited positive or very positive behavior and were not significantly affected by changes in the dental environment or clinical attire. The evaluations from the psychiatrist and dentist using CD: H were highly consistent.
In conclusion, the changes in the dental office and clinical attire during the pandemic did not significantly impact children's anxiety levels.
Inclusion Criteria:
Healthy children children between 5-7 years old no prior dentistry experience children willing to draw picture
Exclusion Criteria:
Children who had mental or physical disabilities children < 5 years old, previous dentist experience who refused to draw picture