Abstract
Aim: This was to evaluate the potential factors that influence behaviour in the paediatric dentistry environment of children aged 48 to 68 months who have never before been to a dentist. Study Design. Cross sectional. Methods: Child behaviour was evaluated using the Frankl scale during both clinical examination procedures and prophylaxis. All mothers of the 118 children investigated underwent a test to assess their anxiety (Manifest Anxiety Scale-MAS) and responded to a questionnaire on the medical history of the child as well as socioeconomic factors. The children were given a test to assess their anxiety (Venham Picture Test-VPT). Statistics: The statistical tests adopted were the Chi-squared test and both simple and multiple unconditional logistic regression. Results: Children with high anxiety, those who had previously experienced toothache and those had behaved uncooperatively during prior medical experiences, had a greater probability of behaving uncooperatively during their first dental consultation. Conclusions: Dental professionals can identify the presence of predictive factors for child behaviour prior to the first clinical examination by including relevant questions in the dental and medical history, thereby facilitating a more positive initial contact between paediatric dentists and their patients.
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Ramos-Jorge, M.L., Marques, L.S., Pavia, S.M. et al. Predictive factors for child behaviour in the dental environment. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 7, 253–257 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03262561
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03262561