Level Of Dental Fear Research Articles

Fear of Pain Mediates the Association between MC1R Genotype and Dental Fear

Fear of pain is experienced in acute and chronic pain populations, as well as in the general population, and it affects numerous aspects of the orofacial pain experience, including pain intensity, pain-related disability, and pain behavior (e.g., avoidance). A related but separate construct—dental fear—is also experienced in the general population, and it influences dental treatment–seeking behavior and oral and systemic health. Minimal work has addressed the role of genetics in the etiologies of fear of pain and dental fear. Limited available data suggest that variants of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene may predict greater levels of dental fear. The MC1R gene also may be etiologically important for fear of pain. This study aimed to replicate the finding that MC1R variant status predicts dental fear and to determine, for the first time, whether MC1R variant status predicts fear of pain. Participants were 817 Caucasian participants (62.5% female; mean ± SD age: 34.7 ± 8.7 y) taking part in a cross-sectional project that identified determinants of oral diseases at the community, family, and individual levels. Participants were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms on MC1R and completed self-report measures of fear of pain and dental fear. Presence of MC1R variant alleles predicted higher levels of dental fear and fear of pain. Importantly, fear of pain mediated the relation between MC1R variant status and dental fear (B = 1.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.281 to 3.056). MC1R variants may influence orofacial pain perception and, in turn, predispose individuals to develop fears about pain. Such fears influence the pain experience and associated pain behaviors, as well as fears about dental treatment. This study provides support for genetic contributions to the development/maintenance of fear of pain and dental fear, and it offers directions for future research to identify potential targets for intervention in the treatment of fear of pain and dental fear.

Usage of a Reward System for Dealing with Pediatric Dental Fear.

Background:Pediatric dental fear, if left unchecked, can persist for a lifetime and adversely impact the physical and psychological health of a patient. In this study, a feasible nonmedical method for relieving pediatric dental fear was investigated.Methods:A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial model was applied. The juvenile patients experiencing dental fear, whose parents or guardian had signed an informed consent form, were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n = 50) was the control group, while Group B (n = 50) was the reward group. Participants in Group A accepted routine treatment. Participants in Group B were told that they would obtain a gift as a reward for their good behavior if they were compliant during their dental treatments. The Chinese version of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) was used to evaluate the level of dental fear of each patient both before and after each treatment. A contrast analysis and a correlation analysis of the results were used to assess the efficacy of the reward mechanism.Results:All participants in Group B, were obedient during the dental treatment, and they also successfully chose the present they wanted at the end of their dental treatment. Children at different ages showed different reward preferences. Significant difference in the fear scores of the participants in Group B before the treatment and after receiving the reward was found (independent samples t-test, t = 14.72, P < 0.001). In Group A, 86% children's fear score did not undergo a noticeable change.Conclusions:A reward system is proved feasible to relieve pediatric dental fear, and the form of reward should meet the demand of patients.

The relationship between level of dental fear and anxiety and DMFT index in students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during the 2010-2011 academic years

The relationship between level of dental fear and anxiety and DMFT index in students of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during the 2010-2011 academic years

Relationship between Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and Preschools?Fear and Behavior during Dental Treatment

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and preschoolers’ fear and behavior during dental treatment. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 children aged 3 to 6 attending the pediatric dentistry department of Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry in their first dental appointment. Oral health related quality of life was measured with ECOHIS questionnaire and dental fear using Children’s Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS) questionnaire. Frankle’s behavioral scale was also used for the evaluation of behavioral status. Data were analyzed by SPSS version13.0. ECOHIS score was correlated with CFSS-DS score (P<0.01) and Frakle’s behavioral scale. There was an association between ECOHIS and CFSS-DS score (B =0.198), and ECOHIS and behavioral status (B=-0.193). According to the results, the poorest oral health related quality of life was associated with high levels of dental anxiety and behavioral disorders. According to the results, there was an association between early childhood oral health related quality of life and the level of dental fear and behavioral status.

A randomized control trial comparing the visual and verbal communication methods for reducing fear and anxiety during tooth extraction.

PurposeTo evaluate the value of using the visual information for reducing the level of dental fear and anxiety in patients undergoing teeth extraction under LA.MethodsA total of 64 patients were indiscriminately allotted to solitary of the study groups following reading the information sheet and signing the formal consent. If patient was in the control group, only verbal information and routine warnings were provided. If patient was in the study group, tooth extraction video was showed. The level of dental fear and anxiety was detailed by the patients on customary 100 mm visual analog scales (VAS), with “no dental fear and anxiety” (0 mm) and “severe dental distress and unease” (100 mm). Evaluation of dental apprehension and fretfulness was made pre-operatively, following visual/verbal information and post-extraction.ResultsThere was a substantial variance among the mean dental fear and anxiety scores for both groups post-extraction (p-value < 0.05). Patients in tooth extraction video group were more comfortable after dental extraction than verbal information and routine warning group. For tooth extraction video group there were major decreases in dental distress and anxiety scores between the pre-operative and either post video information scores or postoperative scores (p-values < 0.05). Younger patients recorded higher dental fear and anxiety scores than older ones (P < 0.05).ConclusionDental fear and anxiety associated with dental extractions under local anesthesia can be reduced by showing a tooth extraction video to the patients preoperatively.

To Assess the Fear &amp; Anxiety among Patients Attending the OPD of a Dental College in Bangalore City

Background : Anxiety and fear towards dental treatment are common problems frequently experienced by patients world-wide. Despite the advances in technology and increased oral health awareness significant percentage of people suffer from dental anxiety. Aim: To determine dental anxiety and fear levels of patients attending the out-patient department (OPD) of a dental college in Bangalore city. Study Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Materials and Methods: Dental fear and dental Anxiety among the study subjects were assessed using Dental Fear Survey (DFS) and Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) respectively. Statistical analysis was done using chi-square, ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation. A total of 356 study participants were present, out of which 220(61.7%) were males and 136(38.3%) were females.

Evaluating the Relationship of Dental Fear with Dental Health Status and Awareness

Dental fear is one of the most common problems in dentistry, for both the patient and for the dentist. This issue can have an important effect on an individual's dental health. The aim of this paper was to report on the prevalence of dental anxiety and to explore if high levels of anxiety are associated with sociodemographic factors, oral health status, and level of oral health awareness. The sample for this cross-sectional study included 294 patients (154 males and 140 females). All participants filled out a Dental Fear Survey (DFS) to evaluate their level of dental fear. Gender, age, education level, socioeconomic status and oral health awareness were also noted. Oral health behaviors and oral health awareness levels were investigated using seven questions. Also, the periodontal status of all participants was evaluated using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). Differences between different subgroups were tested using the chi-square test. There was a statistically significant difference between the DFS groups with regard to sociodemographic data. Women had significantly higher scores than men, and young patients had significantly higher scores than others. Patients with low education levels and low socioeconomic status had high DFS scores. Periodontal status was better in groups that had scores in the low and moderate ranges compared to groups that had high scores on the DFS. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups of DFS and CPITN (p<0.05). Patients with low and moderate levels of DFS answered the oral health knowledge questions correctly. There was a statistically significant difference between the DFS groups based on correct answers to the oral health knowledge questions (p<0.05). The elimination of dental fear is very important and should be treated according to a patient-centered assessment. These individuals were informed about the dental treatment procedure so their prejudices were eliminated. Patients with a high level of dental fear may be given psychiatric support for comfortable treatment procedure.

Predicting children's behaviour during dental treatment under oral sedation.

The primary aim of this study was to assess whether parents' own anxiety and their perception of their child's dental fear and child's general fear can predict preoperatively their child's behaviour during dental treatment under oral sedation. The secondary aim was to assess whether the child's age, gender and ASA classification grade are associated with a child's behaviour under oral sedation. Cross-sectional prospective study. The Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), Children's Fear Survey Schedule Dental-Subscale (CFSS-DS) and Children's Fear Survey Schedule Short-Form (CFSS-SF) questionnaires were completed by parents of children undergoing dental treatment with oral midazolam. Behaviour was rated by a single clinician using the overall behaviour section of the Houpt-Scale and scores dichotomised into acceptable or unacceptable behaviour. Data were analysed using χ (2), t test and logistic regression analysis. In total 404 children (215 girls, 53%) were included, with the mean age of 4.57years, SD=1.9. Behaviour was scored as acceptable in 336 (83%) and unacceptable in 68 (17%) children. The level of a child's dental fear, as perceived by their parent, was significantly associated with the behaviour outcome (p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that if the parentally perceived child's dental fear (CFSS-DS) rating was high, the odds of the child exhibiting unacceptable behaviour under oral sedation was two times greater than if their parents scored them a low dental fear rating (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.33-3.88, p=0.003). CFSS-DS may be used preoperatively to help predict behaviour outcome when children are treated under oral sedation and facilitate treatment planning.

Dental Anxiety and Fear Levels among Outpatients in a Private Dental College in Chennai

TOPIC: Dental anxiety and fear levels among outpatients in a private dental college in Chennai. AIM : The aim is to evaluate dental anxiety and fear levels among patients visiting a private dental-college. MATERIALS REQUIRED: The five points modified Corah‟s Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Dental Fear Scale (DFS) were used. Descriptive analysis was done as well as Fisher‟s Exact Test and the Independent-t test to compare the anxiety and fear scores between groups. RESULTS: Two hundred completed questionnaires were included in the study. Results showed that participants were anxious mostly about tooth drilling and local anesthetic injection. The overall response to Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) showed that 53.5% were anxious which is statistically significant. The response to Dental Fear Scale (DFS) showed that moderate fear levels were 75%. The mean MDAS and DFS scores for males were comparatively higher than females. The age group 22-39 showed highest anxiety and fear levels.

치과내원 환자의 치과공포 감소를 위한 중재법 적용

The purposes of this study were to assess dental fear and anxiety level of patients attending a dental clinic using the dental fear survey (DFS) scale, to apply interventions chosen by patients for reducing dental fear and anxiety and measure their effects. This study surveyed 34 patients who visited a dental clinic in Seoul about their self-rated health and their experience of dental fear, and measured the level of dental fear using DFS. Trained dental hygienists applied interventions desired by the patients for reducing dental fear and anxiety and, for each intervention, examined the patients` satisfaction (very helpful [5 point]~not helpful at all [1 point]). Collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0 through independent t-test or one-way ANOVA for difference in level of fear according to related characteristics, and through Wilcoxon signed rank test for comparison between before and after the intervention. The subjects` mean level of fear (DFS score) was 44.53, which was an average level, and the level of dental fear was relatively high for stimulus-response (2.72). The level of dental fear was higher in those who had experienced pains or indirect dental fear from dental treatment in the past, and those whose subjectively perceived health state was poor (p

Dental fear and its possible relationship with periodontal status in Chinese adults: a preliminary study.

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to describe the characteristics of dental fear of Chinese adult patients with periodontal disease and provide information for clinical assessment.MethodsA total of 1203 dental patients completed questionnaires that included Corach’s Dental Anxiety Scales (DAS), Dental Fear Survey (DFS) and the short-form Dental Anxiety Inventory (S-DAI). Among all the patients, 366 cases were self-reported periodontal disease. The general characteristics were described, such as socio-demographics, dental attendances and oral health behaviors. The statistical analysis was performed by t-test, Mann–Whitney U test and linear regression respectively to evaluate correlations between dental fear and general characteristics according to the three scales.ResultsThe prevalence of dental fear was 74% among 1203 patients, 23.4% of total with high dental fear, while 27.3% in the patients with periodontal disease. The average score of DAS and DFS for patients with periodontal disease was significantly higher than those without periodontal disease. The regression analysis indicated that gender, age, periodontal status, dental attendances and oral health behaviors were correlated with dental fear. Among 366 patients with periodontal disease, gender, dental attendances and oral health behaviors had correlation with dental fear. The analysis of DFS scale exhibited that ‘drilling with handpiece’ and ‘injecting the anesthetic’ were the most important factors to contribute to dental fear.ConclusionsThere was high prevalence of dental fear in Chinese adult patients, particularly in patients with periodontal disease, and high level of dental fear may lead to poor periodontal status.

Prevalence of Dental Anxiety and Fear among Medical Students at University of Thamar

Background/purpose: Fear from dental treatment is widespread distressing problem for the dentist. Anxiety may have an impact to the dentist-patient relationship and it may cause to misdiagnosis. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the levels of dental anxiety and fear among medical students at University of Thamar.Materials and methods: Dental anxiety scale (DAS) and Dental Fear Survey (DFS) were completed by one hundred undergraduate medical students. Cross-tabulations were applied to determine the levels of DAS and DFS. Pearson’s correlation was used to analyse the association among the dental anxiety measurements. Pearson’s correlation also was used to investigate the association between DAS and DFS tests. Results: The prevalence of moderate dental anxiety in this sample was 51%, while both 12% of the sample was characterized with high and severe dental anxiety. There were association for question #1 to question #3 (0.368, p = 0.000) and question #4 (0.133, p = 0.191). Furthermore, the question #2 showed association with question #3 (0.362, p = 0.000) and question #4 (0.250, p = 0.013). However, the lowest relationship (0.088, p = 0.387) was noticed between question #3 and question #4. Respondents who reported moderate dental fear were 79%, whereas 12% of the sample was characterized with high dental fear. Pearson’s correlation between DAS and DFS tests was 0.142 with p-value = 0.158.Conclusions: The overall dental anxiety and fear from dental treatment was still high. Therefore, more prevention protocols and dental health educational programs are recommended for employing in Yemeni universities.

노인들의 구강관리 실태 및 치과공포 수준

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate the actual oral health status and dental fear level in the elderly. Methods: Data were collected by questionnaire interview method from June 15, 2013 to December 14, 2013. The subjects were elderly over 65 years old in Jeonbuk province. The study instrument was structured questionnaire including general characteristics of the subjects(3 questions), oral health management status(16 questions), Dental Fear Survey(DFS, 9 questions). Cronbach alphas were 0.804 and 0.959 in the study. Higher score of oral health management status showed good oral health care and higher DFS showed higher level of dental fear. Data were analyzed by t-test, one way ANOVA, post-hoc Scheffe test, and Pearson correlation analysis. Higher dental fear was defined below 33.3%. Results: Women tended to have better oral health than male. Women brush their teeth more frequently than male. Most of the elderly answered that it was important to brush teeth for 3 minutes, to use dental floss and to have oral health education(p<0.05). Score of dental fear level was similar in men and women. Those who were above 69 years old tended to have dental fear. Poor oral health condition was closely related to dental fear. Conclusions: The oral care in the elderly showed considerable differences between the groups and affected the dental fear. It is important to implement the nationwide dental care for the elderly in the future.

청소년의 치과치료와 관련된 공포감에 영향을 미치는 요인에 관한 공변량 구조모형

본 연구에서는 15세에서 17세의 청소년들을 대상으로 치과치료에 대한 공포감의 일반적인 경향과 관련변인들에 따라 공포감이 어떻게 차이가 나며, 이들 변인들이 치과치료에 대한 공포감에 영향을 미치는 정도와 인과관계를 밝히고자 하였다. DFS, DBS 및 GFS를 포함한 설문도구와 청소년의 특성에 관한 문항들로 구성된 설문지를 이용하였고, SPSS를 이용하여 단변량 분석을 시행한 후 LISREL 8.12를 사용하여 공변량 구조모형을 분석하였다. DFS (0.957), DBS (0.916) 및 GFS (0.910)의 Cronbach 신뢰도 계수가 모두 0.9이상으로 높게 나타났고, 자신의 치아상태가 건강하지 않다고 생각할수록, 최근 구강 내 동통을 경험했을 경우, 치과치료 시 동통을 강하게 느꼈을 경우, 그리고 치료 시 동통을 자주 경험했을 경우와 치과약속을 어긴적이 있을 경우에 그렇지 않은 경우보다 치과치료에 대한 공포감의 수준이 통계적으로 유의하게 높아지는 추세로 나타났다. 구조방정식 모형의 적합도는 양호하게 나타났으며, 치과치료시 동통정도와 동통 횟수, 치과약속을 어긴 횟수, 치과의사에 대한 불신감 그리고 일반적인 공포감이 치과치료와 관련된 공포감에 정(+)의 직접효과가 있었다. The purpose of this study was to find general trends in dental fear among adolescences at 15-17 years of age, differences in levels of dental fear according to relevant variables, and the degrees to which those variables influence fear of dental treatment and their causal relationships. The researcher made use of a questionnaire including tools of questionnaire survey DFS, DBS and questions regarding characteristics of adolescences, and then analyzed covariate structure modeling by using LISREL 8.12 after conducting univariate analysis by employing SPSS. Cronbach's reliability coefficients showed higher in DFS(0.957), DBS(0.916), and GFS(0.910). The more recent experience in pain in the oral cavity and the stronger pain when treating dental disease and the more frequent experience in pain when treating dental disease and also the more broken dental appointments, the higher levels of dental fear showed with statistical significance. The linear structure equation model was statistically appropriate and well fit. By the model, severity and frequency of pain during treatment, experience of breaking dental visit appointment, distrust for dentists and general fear were directly influenced on dental fear.

Dental fear, tobacco use and alcohol use among university students in Finland: a national survey.

BackgroundTobacco- and alcohol use are associated with psychological problems. Individuals with high dental fear also more often report other psychological problems than do those with lower level of dental fear. We evaluated the association between dental fear and tobacco- and alcohol use while controlling for age, gender, general mood and feelings in social situations.MethodsThe data (n = 8514) were collected from all universities in Finland with an electronic inquiry sent to all first-year university students. Dental fear was measured with the question: “How afraid are you of visiting a dentist?” with reply alternatives “Not at all”, “Somewhat” and “Very”. Regularity of tobacco use was determined with the question: “Do you smoke or use snuff?”, with reply alternatives “Not at all”, “Occasionally” and “Daily”. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used for determination of alcohol use; an AUDIT sum score of 8 or more indicated hazardous, harmful or dependent alcohol use. The statistical tests used were Chi-square tests and Multiple logistic regression analyses.ResultsWhen controlled for age, gender, alcohol use, general mood and feelings in social situations, those who used tobacco regularly were more likely to have high dental fear than were those who used tobacco occasionally or not at all. When controlled for age, gender, general mood and feelings in social situations, those with hazardous, harmful or dependent alcohol use were more likely to have high dental fear than were those with low-risk of alcohol use, the association between alcohol use and dental fear was not strong. When tobacco use was added into this model, alcohol use was no longer statistically significantly associated with dental fear.ConclusionsThe findings of this study support the suggestion that some people may have common vulnerability factors linked to tobacco use, alcohol use, and dental fear.

Children's and parents' attitudes towards dentists' appearance, child dental experience and their relationship with dental anxiety.

To evaluate child and parental attitudes towards dentists' appearance, subsequently related to a child's dental experience and their association with child's anxiety levels. 402 parent-child pairs were surveyed using interviewer-administered questionnaires at the School Dental Service, Health Promotion Board, Singapore. Standardised pictures of models with different attires, ages, genders and ethnicities were shown to the parent-child pairs. Information on each child's dental experience was obtained. Parental proxy was used to evaluate the children's dental fear levels based on the Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS). Personal protective equipment (PPE) was the attire of choice for both parents and children, followed by the paediatric coat. Formal and informal attire was least preferred by children and parents, respectively. Parents preferred female dentists to treat their child, whereas children preferred a dentist of the same gender (p < 0.001). Parent's and child's preferences for the child's dentist's appearance were shown to be significantly different (p < 0.001). CFSS-DS scores were also significantly associated with the number of previous dental visits (p = 0.002) as well as a history of extractions (p = 0.02), but not with child's demographics, dmft or preference for dentist's appearance (p > 0.05). Regardless of child anxiety levels, the PPE followed by paediatric coats were preferred over other choices of dentists' attire. Children tended to choose a dentist who was of a younger age, and of the same gender and ethnicity as themselves. Parents tended to choose younger, female dentists of the same ethnicity as themselves. Subjective experience of extractions, as well as multiple dental visits appeared to play a more significant role in the development of dental fear than dental caries experience per se.

Gagging and its associations with dental care–related fear, fear of pain and beliefs about treatment

Gagging is a behavioral response that interferes with oral health care and may be related to dental care-related fear. Little is known, however, about the epidemiology of gagging during dental treatment. To explore this phenomenon, the authors recruited participants from the waiting area of an oral diagnosis clinic. Participants completed a gagging behavior questionnaire, the Dental Fear Survey, the Fear of Pain Questionnaire-9, the Revised Dental Beliefs Survey and a demographics questionnaire. Almost one-half of the 478 participants reported gagging on at least one occasion during dental visits, and 7.5 percent of participants reported almost always or always gagging. With higher frequency of problems with gagging, patients were more likely to have greater levels of dental care-related fear, fear of pain and more negative beliefs about dental professionals and dental treatment. Furthermore, participants who gagged more readily had greater dental care-related fear than did participants who had less of a propensity to gag. Gagging in the dental office is a prevalent problem, and dental care-related fear and fear of pain are associated with more frequent gagging. Practical Implications Given the prevalence of patients reporting problems with gagging, it may be helpful for providers to assess patients' propensity for gagging, which can be a barrier to treatment. By targeting dental care-related fear, fear of pain and negative beliefs about dental care in patients who often gag when receiving dental care, clinicians may be able to help reduce gagging in frequency or intensity, potentially making treatment more comfortable for patients and easier for dental care providers.

Dental fear among medical and dental undergraduates.

Objective. To assess the prevalence and level of dental fear among health related undergraduates and to identify factors causing such fear using Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey (DFS) questionnaire. Methods. Kleinknecht's DFS questionnaire was used to assess dental fear and anxiety among the entire enrollment of the medical and dental undergraduates' of the University of Malaya. Results. Overall response rate was 82.2%. Dental students reported higher prevalence of dental fear (96.0% versus 90.4%). However, most of the fear encountered among dental students was in the low fear category as compared to their medical counterpart (69.2 versus 51.2%). Significantly more medical students cancelled dental appointment due to fear compared to dental students (P = 0.004). “Heart beats faster” and “muscle being tensed” were the top two physiological responses experienced by the respondents. “Drill” and “anesthetic needle” were the most fear provoking objects among respondents of both faculties. Conclusion. Dental fear and anxiety are a common problem encountered among medical and dental undergraduates who represent future health care professionals. Also, high level of dental fear and anxiety leads to the avoidance of the dental services.

Acoustic Noise Levels of Dental Equipments and Its Association with Fear and Annoyance Levels among Patients Attending Different Dental Clinic Setups in Jaipur, India.

Noise is a source of pervasive occupational hazard for practicing dentists and the patients. The sources of dental sounds by various dental equipments can pose as a potential hazard to hearing system and add to the annoyance levels of the patients. The aim of the study was to analyze the noise levels from various equipments and evaluate the effect of acoustic noise stimulus on dental fear and annoyance levels among patients attending different dental clinic setups in Jaipur, India. The sampling frame comprised of 180 patients, which included 90 patients attending 10 different private clinics and 90 patients attending a Dental College in Jaipur. The levels of Acoustic Noise Stimulus originating from different equipments were determined using a precision sound level meter/decibulometer. Dental fear among patients was measured using Dental Fear Scale (DFS). Statistical analysis was performed using chi square test and unpaired t-test. The mean background noise levels were found to be maximum in the pre-clinical setup/ laboratory areas (69.23+2.20). Females and the patients attending dental college setup encountered more fear on seeing the drill as compared to the patients attending private clinics (p<0.001). The sources of dental sounds can pose as a potential hazard to hearing system. It was analyzed that the environment in the clinics can directly have an effect on the fear and annoyance levels of patients. Hence it is necessary control the noise from various dental equipments to reduce the fear of patients from visiting a dental clinic.

Salivary Alpha Amylase as a Noninvasive Biomarker for Dental Fear and Its Correlation with Behavior of Children during Dental Treatment.

ABSTrACTObjective: Objectives of our studies were to predict dental fear in a child patient depending on salivary alpha amylase (sAA) level before and after dental treatment and to evaluate correla­tion of later with behavior of child patient during dental treatment.Materials and methods: Seventy-seven children between age of 5 and 12 years were divided in three groups. Group 1 consisted of 25 school children who did not undergo any dental treatment. Groups 2 and 3 underwent dental treatment without and with local anesthesia respectively. Groups 2 and 3 were administered child fear survey schedule-dental subscale (CFSS-DS) questionnaire before treatment. Salivary samples were collected for sAA estimation in groups 2 and 3 children before and after completion of dental treatment and behavior during treatment was noted using Frankel behavior rating scale. Group 1 acted as control in which salivary sample was collected in absence of dental stress.Results: When groups 2 and 3 were combined, pretreatment sAA level had a statistically significant (p = 0.0094) correlation with CFSS-DS scores.Conclusion: Alpha amylase can be used as a screening tool to predict level of dental fear in a child patient.How to cite this article: Noorani H, Joshi HV, Shivaprakash PK. Salivary Alpha Amylase as a Noninvasive Biomarker for Dental Fear and Its Correlation with Behavior of Children during Dental Treatment. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2014;7(1):19-23.