Abstract
AimTo develop a simple method to assess the level of anxiety by using children’s drawings and correlating them with Frankl’s behavior rating scale.Materials and methodsA total of 178 patients aged of 3 to 14 years were handed out two-page forms which contained three sections on coloring and drawing, along with general information, and Frankl’s behavior rating scale for the visit. The three types of drawing exercises given to the patients were geometric copy drawings, coloring a nonthreatening figure, and an empty sheet for freehand drawing.ResultsOut of 178 patients, 60 showed definitely positive behavior, 73 exhibited positive behavior, 37 showed negative behavior, and 8 were definitely negative on Frankl’s behavior rating scale; 133 children had none or, 1 stress marker and 45 exhibited 2 or 3 stress markers in their drawings. Chi-square (χ2) analysis was done with a 2 × 2 contingency table. Observed χ2 value was 46.166, which at 1 degree of freedom was much greater than that at 0.995 percentile. Therefore, the result was highly significant.ConclusionChildren requiring specialized behavioral techniques can be identified by the presence of stress markers in their drawings. This nonverbal activity by itself can have an overall positive effect on the behavior displayed in the dental clinic.How to cite this articleMathur J, Diwanji A, Sarvaiya B, Sharma D. Identifying Dental Anxiety in Children’s Drawings and correlating It with Frankl’s Behavior Rating Scale. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(1):24-28.
Highlights
Dental treatment anxiety is a well-known fact
General perception in the population with regard to dental treatment is pain and discomfort. Such thought processes are bound to affect the behavior of pediatric dental patients even before the first dental appointment.[1,2,3,4]
Patients between the ages 3 and 14 years were handed out two-page forms where, in addition to general information, the type of dental treatment required was classified as invasive or noninvasive was noted
Summary
General perception in the population with regard to dental treatment is pain and discomfort. Such thought processes are bound to affect the behavior of pediatric dental patients even before the first dental appointment.[1,2,3,4] Identification and management of child’s/patient’s behavior is an important aspect in the delivery of successful dental treatment. One scale which is commonly used in dentistry is Frankl’s behavior rating scale,[6,7] popular because of its ease of learning and usage. It allows a quick classification of the child patient in one of four categories: Definitely positive, positive, negative, and definitely negative
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