Abstract
ABSTRACT%Aim: To evaluate the effect of exposure to positive images of dentistry on dental anxiety among 7 to 12 years old children.Materials and methods: Controlled trial. Assessment of anxiety and analysis of data were conducted blind to experimental condition. Assessment of anxiety was carried out in the waiting room prior intervention, postintervention into the operatory during the treatment and again after the completion of treatment. Anticipatory anxiety was recorded by Venham's picture test (VPT).Participants: Sixty children of 7 to 12 years age group.Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. In both conditions the participant was asked to look at photographs for 2 minutes in the waiting area prior to their appointment. The intervention consisted of viewing positive images of dentistry and dental treatment (study group), the (control group) consisted of neutral images. The assessment of anticipatory dental anxiety was made blind to experimental condition and statistical analysis was conducted blind to group membership. Anticipatory anxiety assessed by the VP T.Results: A total of 60 subjects participated in the study and were equally and randomly allotted to study group (positive image) and control group (neutral image). The mean anxiety score found at waiting area before intervention, after intervention (OPD) and postoperative was statistically significant in study group. Post hoc comparison of anxiety score in study group showed high statistical significance.Conclusion: Positive dental images have an effect on reducing anxiety as compared to neutral images when measured by the VPT.How to cite this article: Gangwal RR, Badjatia SR, Dave BH. Effect of Exposure to Positive Images of Dentistry on DentalAnxiety among 7 to 12 Years Old Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2014;7(3):176 -179.
Highlights
Behavioral sciences have become an increasingly important component of dental education and research
A total of 60 subjects participated in the study and were and randomly allotted to study group and control group
Positive dental images have an effect on reducing anxiety as compared to neutral images when measured by the Venham’s picture test (VPT)
Summary
Behavioral sciences have become an increasingly important component of dental education and research. Role of behavioral sciences is increasing in application of psychological methods to the study of behavior and attitudes relevant to health, illness and healthcare in particular, fear of dentists and dentistry as well as of dental pain.[1] Dentistry brings fear and it afflicts a major portion of population, which is a menace commonly in children. Fear of clinicians and dentistry is a common and potentially distressing problem.[2] Dental fear is associated with the reduced oral health status, poorer oral healthrelated quality of life, and compromised psychosocial health, such as lower self-esteem and lower morale.[3] One approach known as modeling given by Kuhn and Allen, may be to develop positive associations with dentistry through the promotion of positive images of children experiencing dental treatment. Such an approach draws on the principles of social learning, proposing that exposure to positive images will trigger the learning and association between the positive image and dentistry and is Akin to modeling.[4]
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