Journal of Disability and Oral Health

cover art

Cover Date:
June 2010
Print ISSN:
1470-8558
Vol:
11
Issue:
2

Evaluation of objective and subjective methods for assessing dental anxiety: a pilot study

Aim and objectives: Negative dental experiences can lead to the development of fear and anxiety, which can lead to the avoidance of dental treatment. Dentists must be able to identify nervous patients in a quick and easy manner, enabling them to provide appropriate treatment. This pilot study aimed to assess the benefit of two psychometric scales in determining when the use of inhalation sedation is required in addition to behavioural management techniques. Design: Twenty new patients referred to a community dental service, aged 5-16 years, ASA physical status I or II, were recruited. Patients completed two anxiety scores at their assessment appointment, Spielberger’s State Anxiety Inventory and the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule Dental Subscale. Each patient was then assessed by a dentist and a treatment plan decided, including treatment modality - with or without inhalation sedation. On completion of treatment, the score from each patient’s anxiety questionnaires was used to determine which treatment modality would have been appropriate if only the score had been used. The decisions made on treatment modality by the anxiety measures were compared with those made subjectively by the clinician. Results: Spielberger’s State Anxiety Inventory and the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule, Dental Subscale appear to show poor agreement with the clinician’s decision on treatment modality. Conclusions: From the results of this study, anxiety scores appear to have limited benefit to clinicians when making decisions on treatment modality for young patients.

Key words: Anxiety, behaviour, sedation

Article Price
£15.00
Institution Article Price
£
Page Start
69
Page End
76
Authors
Sarah L Kime, Katherine E Wilson, Nicholas M Girdler

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