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- Title
Validation of a facial image scale to assess child dental anxiety.
- Authors
Fathima, Faazila; Jeevanandan, Ganesh
- Abstract
Aim: This study aims to examine the validity of a scale that uses faces as an indicator to evaluate the children's dental anxiety. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 children (age: 5-18 years) and their parents/guardians were approached in the waiting area of the Department of Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, Saveetha Dental Hospital. They were asked if they would agree to take part in a study investigating on how children emotionally feel about the dentist. Two scales, namely facial image scale (FIS) and Venham picture test (VPT), were used. The FIS comprises a row of five faces ranging from very happy to very unhappy. The children were asked to point at which face they felt most like at that moment. The VPT comprises eight cards, with two figures on each card, one anxious figure and one non-anxious figure. The children were asked to point at the figure they felt most like at that moment. All cards were shown in their numbered order. The VPT was administered first, with every second participant to control for order effects. Both scales were shown to the children held at an angle such that the parent could not see the choice their child was making, each parent was also asked not to contribute to their child's choice. Results: A strong correlation was found between the two scales, indicating good validity for the FIS. Findings also showed that a small, but significant, number of children are anxious in the dental context. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the FIS is a valid means of assessing child dental anxiety status in a clinical context.
- Subjects
FEAR of dentists; ANXIETY disorders; CHILDREN'S dental care; DENTISTRY; DENTISTS
- Publication
Drug Invention Today, 2018, Vol 10, p2825
- ISSN
0975-7619
- Publication type
Article