Knowledge attitude and practice of usage of anti-anxiety drugs in paediatric patients among general dental practitioners

Abstract

Aim: To assess the knowledge attitude and practice of usage of anti-anxiety drugs among the general dental practitioners. Background: Anti-anxiety drugs can act as effective way to manage patients with anxiety and dental fear mainly children. Adequate knowledge is necessary for using anti-anxiety drugs. Usage of anti-anxiety drugs can help to treat the patients in an effective way. Material and Methods: Questionnaires consisting of 15 questions was distributed to 80 general dental practitioners practicing in private dental hospitals and clinics in Chennai city in June 2017. The questionnaire was designed to enquire about the knowledge and usage of anti anxiety drug in children Results: 83.75% of dentists are aware of the pharmacological means of anxiety reduction. 51.25% are aware of the side effects and over dosage reaction of using anti anxiety drugs. 12% of dentists are aware of the method of managing side effects and over dosage reaction of using anti anxiety drugs Conclusion: Anti-anxiety drugs can act as a better alternative and also an adjunct to the conventional behaviour management. Proper knowledge about its mechanism of action, dosage, adverse effects are essential for the dentist to use anti-anxiety drugs in an effective way. Hence the usage of anti-anxiety drugs can be recommended and encouraged among dentists provided they have a sound knowledge about the drug.