Association of Dental Anxiety with Color Preferences in Pediatric Dental Patients

Abstract

Objective: People’s color preferences have been a subject of research and curiosity for many years. Among the methods aimed at minimizing such fears in children is the careful selection of colors in the environment in order to prevent individuals from developing negative feelings. The present study evaluates the association between colors and anxiety in a pediatric dental patient population aged 7–14 through a quantitative test. Material and Methods: The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), the faces version of Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS-f) and the quick version of the Lüscher Color Test (LCT), respectively, were administered to 65 patients and 48 age and sex matched controls while in the waiting room before treatment. Results: The MCDAS-f and STAIC state scale scores were significantly and moderately correlated with the LCT scores, while there was no statistically significant correlation between the STAIC trait and the LCT scores. The mean LCT score was 6.06±2.85 in the patient group and 3.22±2.21 in controls (p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of this study support that the colors preferred by children during dental examination and treatment are in fact those that reflect their moods rather than those that should be used in dental surgery environments and medical attire, contrary to previous studies investigating the association between color preferences and anxiety in pediatric dentistry.