Behavior of Children toward Various Dental Procedures

Abstract

Introduction: Dental treatment is known to trigger anxiety and fear even in fully grown adults, especially if administration of local anesthesia with a syringe is indicated. This study is aimed to evaluate whether procedures like an extraction and pulpectomy could trigger fear and anxiety in a pediatric patient and also the response of pediatric patients to other treatment modalities. Their perception toward receiving dental treatment as a whole is also evaluated. The effect of conditioning of the environment and the dentist (extractions done in second or third appointments) and its effect in decreasing the anxiety is also evaluated. The aim of the study is to evaluate the behavior of pediatric patients aged 7–17 years in response to various treatment procedures at Saveetha Dental College. Materials and methods: The behavior of 50 children reporting to Saveetha Dental College, categorized according to the Frankl’s behavior rating scale, was recorded before, during, and posttreatment. Results: Children undergoing extractions and pulpectomies showed the most uncooperative behavior. Sixty percent of patients undergoing extraction and 45% of patients undergoing the pulp therapy showed negative behavior (rating 2) during treatment. Conclusion: Invasive procedures like extractions and pulpectomies were procedures that brought out negative behavior in pediatric patients, especially during treatment.