Comparative evaluation of three different behavior management techniques among children aged 6-12 years in dental practice: A single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dental anxiety is characterized by distress in anticipation of dental visits, which may result in a child's refusal to undergo treatment and, ultimately, lead to parents' reluctance towards dental care. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the tell-show-do technique, modeling technique and yogic relaxation technique in the reduction of dental anxiety among children aged 6-12 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was an interventional, parallel-group, single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial conducted on 120 children who required restorative treatment without the use of local anesthesia. The participants were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1 - tell-show-do technique; group 2 - modeling technique; group 3 - yogic relaxation technique. The dental anxiety levels were evaluated 4 times using both physiological (oxygen saturation and pulse rate) and behavioral parameters (facial image scale (FIS) and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scale (FLACC)). The data was assessed by 2 blinded and calibrated specialists. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in all 4 parameters among the 3 groups. During both the intraoperative and postoperative periods, the oxygen saturation levels were significantly higher in the yogic relaxation technique group. Moreover, the yogic relaxation technique group exhibited lower pulse rates, FIS and FLACC scores compared to the tell-show-do and modeling technique groups. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of yoga has a positive influence on the general health of the individual. Consequently, it can be considered one of the alternative behavioral modification techniques for the reduction of dental anxiety in children.

Development of Cartoon-based Dental Anxiety Scale for Children: Validation and Reliability.

Background: Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is a common, deterring problem affecting children, which has a significant negative impact on children's oral health, leading to avoidance of dental care, poor dental hygiene, and an increased risk of dental caries and other oral health problems. The Oddbods DFA assessment is an innovative, child-friendly instrument that has been developed to assess DFA in children. Aim: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale, and to examine the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion and construct validity of the scale. Materials and methods: This study has assessed the reliability, criterion validity, and construct validity of the novel Oddbods anxiety assessment scale among 4-6-year-old children. Different samples were recruited to assess different criteria. A normative study was done to assess the distribution of age of the children according to anxiety levels. For assessing the test's retest reliability statistically, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23.0, Cronbach's α, interclass correlation coefficient, and t-test were used. For evaluating the criterion validity, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test was used in an exploratory factor analysis to determine whether the sample size was sufficient for the factor analysis. Results: The scale had a high positive correlation with the modified child dental anxiety scale (MCDAS), which is considered a gold standard, and a higher Cronbach's α value, which proved its internal consistency. It also showed a significant difference between anxious and nonanxious children, but there were no differences in the scores with respect to age. Conclusion: The present scale proved to be a very effective tool for assessing DFA among young children. Clinical significance: It is important to identify children at risk of dental anxiety. This scale helps to follow-up on children for their innate DFA, evaluate the efficacy of dental anxiety interventions, enhance communication, and improve access to dental care by encouraging children to seek dental care without fear or hesitation, promoting preventive care and better oral health outcomes. How to cite this article: Fathima A, Ravikumar R, Chellappa LR. Development of Cartoon-based Dental Anxiety Scale for Children: Validation and Reliability. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(7):796-801.

Influence of Age and Gender on Emotional Intelligence, Intelligence Quotient, Anxiety, and Behavior of Children in a Dental Setup.

Background: Children's age is a significant predictor factor for their panic and conduct intraoperatively. A child's developmental stage influences their ability to handle stress in dental operations, and it seems that younger children are more anxious and have a better capacity to cope with dental procedures. Age and gender are said to have a significant influence on emotional quotient (EQ) and intelligence quotient (IQ), but the data regarding this is extremely sparse in the dental literature. Aim: To find the impact of age and gender on EQ, IQ, panic, and conduct of children in an oral care setup. Materials and methods: A total of 57 female and 50 male (total 107) children were considered participants aged 7-12 years. The study was executed in two sessions in the pediatric dentistry department. In the first session, "Bar-On emotional quotient inventory: youth version (Bar-On EQ-i: YV)" and the "Raven's colored progressive matrices (RCPM)" tests were administered to evaluate the EQ and IQ of the children, and a clinical psychologist supervised and guided the whole procedure. In the second appointment, anxiety was recorded using the "faces version of the modified child's dental anxiety scale (MCDAS(f))," whereas behavior was recorded with the "sound, eye, and motor (SEM) scale." Interpretation of data was done by statistical methods. Results: The difference in IQ scores between the groups aged 7-9 and 10-12 years was not statistically significant. There was a statistically notable difference (p-value of 0.006) in the RCPM IQ scores among male and female participants, where female participants scored better. There was a statistically insignificant variation in total EQ scores between male and female participants. Based on age and gender, a statistically insignificant variation was noted in the anxiety scores (MCDAS(f)) among participants. A statistically notable difference (p-value of 0.018) was seen between the SEM scores of the 7-9 and 10-12 years age-groups. SEM scores of male and female participants showed no significant difference. Conclusion: There was no influence of age on the IQ and EQ scores of the participants. A gender difference was found in relation to the IQ scores and the intrapersonal and stress management subscales of EQ. Based on age and gender, there was a statistically nonsignificant difference between the anxiety scores (MCDAS(f)) of the participants. A statistically notable variation was seen between the SEM scores for behavior of the 7-9 and 10-12 years age-groups. Statistically insignificant variation was noted between the SEM scores of both genders. How to cite this article: Agarwalla S, Chandra B, Kundu GK. Influence of Age and Gender on Emotional Intelligence, Intelligence Quotient, Anxiety, and Behavior of Children in a Dental Setup. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(5):518-523.

Feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness of weighted blankets during paediatric dental care.

BACKGROUND: Weighted blankets are one method to provide deep pressure touch sensations, which are associated with a calming effect on the nervous system. Weighted blankets have been reported to elicit a calming effect during stressful dental encounters and routine prophylactic visits in older adolescents and adults. Preliminary research suggests that weighted blankets are safe and feasible for children in both hospital and home settings; this, however, has not yet been examined in a paediatric dental environment. AIM: To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effectiveness of a weighted blanket during paediatric dental care. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study examined child, caregiver, and dentist-reported responses to survey questions asking about their experience with the weighted blanket during care (n = 20 each per child and caregiver group, n = 9 dentists). RESULTS: The use of a weighted blanket is feasible, acceptable, and appropriate as reported by caregivers and dentists (means ≥ 4.70 on the Feasibility of Intervention, Acceptability of Intervention, and Intervention Appropriateness Measures). Few problems were described, and all groups overwhelmingly responded with enthusiasm, noted the blanket's potential for future use, and perceived that a weighted blanket improved care (means ≥ 4.10). CONCLUSIONS: Study findings support the feasibility and acceptability of using a weighted blanket during a routine, noninvasive paediatric dental care.

Psychological Factors Determining Prognosis of Dental Treatments.

Many psychological factors may have a significant bearing on an individual's oral health and success of dental treatments. Overall, these factors may result in the avoidance of dental visits, emergency-based dental appointments, noncompliant dental behavior, the utilization of multiple oral health care providers, and poor oral health. These factors may affect the quality of life of individuals and may lead to patient dissatisfaction, poor prognosis, and failure of dental treatment. Multiple psychological factors may affect the dentist and the patient. Those factors may alter the prognosis for successful dental treatment. Physician empathy is fundamental in developing long-term physician-patient trust.

Association of Fear and Anxiety Scales in Pediatric Dental Patients Using Brainwave Entrainment: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Dental fear and anxiety are significant issues among pediatric patients, often complicating dental treatments. Various tools measure these emotional responses, including subjective scales such as the Visual Facial Anxiety Scale (VFAS) and Children Fear Scale (CFS), and objective scales such as Venham's Anxiety Scale (VAS) and Frankl Behavior Rating Scale (FBRS). This study explores the association between these measures in children subjected to brainwave entrainment (BWE) therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the association between subjective and objective fear and anxiety measures in pediatric dental patients within both the brainwave entrainment (BWE) intervention group and control group. Methods This randomized controlled trial included pediatric participants aged seven to 12 years reporting to the department for dental treatment. Participants were randomized into two following groups: an experimental group receiving BWE therapy and a control group receiving traditional behavioral management. Fear and anxiety levels were measured using subjective and objective scales before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation to examine the associations between these scales, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results Post-intervention analysis revealed significant correlations between subjective and objective measures of fear and anxiety in both groups. In the BWE group (N=126), there was a moderate positive correlation between the VFAS and VAS (rho=0.540, p<0.001) and a strong negative correlation between the CFS and FBRS (rho=-0.666, p<0.001). The control group (N=126) showed stronger correlations, rho=0.778 for anxiety scales and rho=-0.817 for fear and behavior scales (p<0.001). Combined data analysis from both groups (N=252) confirmed strong correlations. Conclusion This study found a significant association between subjective and objective measures of fear and anxiety in pediatric dental patients within both the brainwave entrainment (BWE) intervention group and control group. Thereby proving that self-reporting behavioral scales are useful for quickly assessing anxiety in pediatric dental settings.

Associations between Dental Anxiety Levels, Self-Reported Oral Health, Previous Unpleasant Dental Experiences, and Behavioural Reactions in Dental Settings: An Adult E-Survey.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dental anxiety, its association with self-reported oral health, and sociodemographic factors in adults that are critical for improving oral health and well-being. Materials and Methods: An online survey was conducted via social media, with 1551 adults (76.5% women, 23.5% men) participating nationwide. Data collected included demographic data, Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) scores, and associations between dental anxiety, negative experiences, and self-reported oral health. The analysis included psychophysiological, behavioural, and emotional responses and avoidance of dental visits, using descriptive and generalised linear regression models. Results: This study found that the mean score of the MDAS was 9.70 ± 5.11 out of 25, 19.1% of the participants reported no dental anxiety, and 7.8% suffered from dental phobia. Gender, age, and socioeconomic status had no significant effect on the prevalence of anxiety. Although more than half of the participants reported negative dental experiences, particularly in childhood, anxiety levels were unaffected. However, those who rated their oral health as excellent or very good had lower anxiety scores (p = 0.008, p = 0.024). Among the dental procedures, oral surgery (58.7%) and prosthetic (restorative) dental treatments (15.2%) caused the most anxiety. Avoidance behaviour correlated with increased anxiety (p ≤ 0.001), as did postponing dental visits until severe pain occurred (p = 0.011). Conclusions: These results emphasise the significant prevalence of dental anxiety in adults, particularly for surgical procedures and drilling, posing challenges in patient management. Tailored strategies are essential to reduce anxiety, improve patient well-being, and optimise dental service delivery and treatment efficacy.

Patient-related predictors of post-operative pain following root canal treatment: A structural model analysis.

AIM: The pathways to post-operative pain are complex and encompass factors that extend beyond the treatment protocol employed. This study aimed to identify patient-related predictors of post-operative pain following root canal treatment. METHODOLOGY: A total of 154 patients received a single-visit root canal treatment for asymptomatic necrotic mandibular molars. Before treatment, dental anxiety, dental fear and sense of coherence (SOC) were measured as predictors for each patient using validated questionnaires. Other measured predictors included gender, age, previous negative experiences at the dental offices and prior root canal treatment. Post-operative pain was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale at multiple time-points over 30 days. Structural equation analysis was employed to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of patient-related predictors on a theoretical model of post-operative pain. The irrigant solution was also included in the model, as it was the only aspect that varied in the treatment protocol (sodium hypochlorite 2.5% and 8.25%). RESULTS: Dental anxiety (coefficient 0.028; p < .01), dental fear (coefficient 0.007; p = .02) and irrigant solution (coefficient 0.004; p = .03) exerted a direct effect on post-operative pain. SOC exerted an indirect effect on post-operative (coefficient 0.006; p = .01) through dental anxiety and dental fear. Moreover, previous negative experiences (coefficient 0.048; p = .04) exerted an indirect effect on post-operative pain through dental anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Dental anxiety, dental fear, previous negative experiences and SOC are patient-related predictors of post-operative pain following root canal treatment. These factors should be taken into consideration in clinical practice, as patients with these characteristics may be at an increased risk of experiencing post-operative pain.

Assessment of Preappointment Parental Counseling on Dental Fear and Anxiety in Children in Pedodontic Dental Operatory: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Dental fear and anxiety are important issues in the practice of pediatric dentistry because they interfere with both the provision and receipt of dental care in children and adolescents. Behavior guidance is a dynamic part of child management. It starts from the preappointment level, where a negative attitude of the mother will be trained to become positive for improved child behavior in the pediatric dental clinic. The use of anticipatory guidance (AG) as parental counseling, where the information on what the parents should follow before their child's dental appointment was provided to the mothers. Aim: To assess the effect of preappointment parental counseling on dental fear and anxiety in children. Materials and methods: The study was a randomized, parallel-group, active-controlled trial, wherein the dyad of mother and child was randomly divided into two groups: (1) the test group and (2) the control group. At baseline, fear and anxiety assessment was done using fear and anxiety assessment scales and physiological parameters in both groups. Dental fear and anxiety were assessed using the children fear survey schedule dental subscale, Venham pictorial test in children and state-trait anxiety subscale in mothers. Parental counseling instructions were given verbally, in written format and by videos only in the test group on the same day of the initial appointment. The same subjects in both groups were checked for fear and anxiety scales and physiological parameters after 6 months from the first appointment. The effectiveness of parental counseling on dental fear and anxiety was correlated at the end of the study. Statistical analysis: The mean dental fear and anxiety scores between the test and control groups at baseline and at 6 months were compared using the Chi-squared test. Chi-squared test was used to compare the dental fear and anxiety in children and mothers in the study and control groups. Spearman's rank correlation test was used to assess the relationship between Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS), Venham Picture Test (VPT), state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) scores, and clinical parameters in the study and control group of both populations. Results: The results showed that there was a significant improvement in the dental fear and anxiety levels in the dyads of mother and child postcounseling. The control group scores did not show any significant change. Conclusion: Preappointment parental counseling clarified and guided parents about the child's fear and anxiety and was effective in alleviating the dental fear and anxiety among parents and children attending pediatric dental clinics. How to cite this article: R R, Sathyaprasad S, S N, et al. Assessment of Preappointment Parental Counseling on Dental Fear and Anxiety in Children in Pedodontic Dental Operatory: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(3):346-351.

Influence of Education on Dental Anxiety and Fear in Mental Disorders after Viewing a Molar Extraction in Three Types of Mental Disorder Compared to Persons with No Mental Disorder.

Objective: The goal of this study is to validate the psychometric properties of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and the Dental Fear Scale (DFS) at three different times: seven days before, immediately after, and seven days after watching a video of surgical extraction of a lower third molar in a sample with four strata: anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, mixed anxiety-depressive disorder, and no mental disorder ages 18-70 in a psychiatric clinic in Malaga. Methods: The Research Ethics Committee of the Virgen Macarena-Virgen del Rocío Hospitals approved the study. After being interviewed by a psychiatrist and subsequently completing the Hamilton Rating Scales for Anxiety and Depression, the participants were divided into 4 strata (60 persons in each). The influence of education level was then analyzed. Results: The scales demonstrated good psychometric properties, with higher MDAS and DFS scores for lower levels of education and mixed anxiety-depressive disorder. Conclusions: Patients who show higher levels of dental anxiety and dental fear will be those with lower education levels, as well as those who suffer from mixed anxiety-depressive disorder.

Dental Fear and Caries in 6- to 12-Year-Old Children: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between dental fear and dental caries in children aged 6 to 12 years in a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Systematic review search terms were selected according to medical subject headings (MeSH) or non-MeSH. An electronic search of studies published in English assessing the relationship between dental fear (children's fear survey schedule-dental subscale) and dental caries (DMFT or dmft index) was carried out of the Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Proquest databases up to March 2022. Of 5,759 articles retrieved initially, 16 were eligible for inclusion in the study, and 5 of these were included in the quantitative analysis. The quality of studies was evaluated based on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Begg tests were employed to assess the publication bias. RESULTS: According to the meta-analysis, the results revealed no statistically significant difference in mean of DMFT score in low and high fear score groups, with a mean difference of 1.28 (95% confidence interval -0.132 to 2.693) (P = 0.076). A statistically significant difference was found in the mean dmft score for the low and high fear score groups, with a mean difference of 0.227 (95% confidence interval 0.058 to 0.395) (P = 0.008). The mean dmft was significantly higher in the high fear score group. CONCLUSION: Dental fear has a significant relationship with caries in primary teeth, but not in permanent teeth.

Torture victims' perspective on dental treatment: "Every sign you make, every move you take" - A qualitative study.

Torture victims struggling with post-traumatic stress often experience elements in the dental treatment situation that may trigger trauma-related reactions. The aim of the study was to explore intervention strategies that will enable dental health workers to adapt dental treatment to the needs of torture survivors. Exploratory interviews were conducted with 10 torture-exposed resettled refugees with dental treatment experience in Norway. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis, which suggested that to minimize trauma-reactions, dental personnel should focus on creating a safe therapeutic space and strengthening the patient's sense of control. Four main categories of clinical advice were proposed: (i) Acquire knowledge about psychology, consequences of torture, cultural differences, trauma-informed care, and the patients' individual needs; (ii) Recognize the trigger-potential of busyness or delays; (iii) Avoid surprises, such as sudden moves or actions and explore triggers individually, but make sure not to evoke images of interrogation, and; (iv) Provide overview both with respect to visibility in the clinical room, and to predictability regarding the dental treatment. Although undergoing dental treatment may be challenging for torture-exposed individuals, it is possible to reduce the predicaments considerably by making feasible adaptions to the treatment and adopting a trauma-informed approach.

Efficacy of kaleidoscope, virtual reality, and video games to alleviate dental anxiety during local anesthesia in children: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Distraction is a technique used to divert a patient's attention from unpleasant procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of kaleidoscopy, virtual reality, and video games in reducing anxiety and pain during invasive dental procedures in children. Methods: Sixty-six children aged 6 to 9 years were randomly assigned to three groups during local anesthesia administration: Group 1 (kaleidoscope), Group 2 (virtual reality), and Group 3 (mobile video games). The anxiety of the children was evaluated using physiological measures (heart rate) at three different time points: before, during, and after the procedure. The Raghavendra, Madhuri, and Sujata pictorial scale was used as a subjective measure before and after the procedure. Subjective measures of pain were assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale. The data were statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: In the intergroup comparison, there were no statistically significant differences in the physiological measures of anxiety scores between the three groups before, during, and after distraction. Raghavendra, Madhuri, and Sujata pictorial scale scores were assessed before and after distraction, but no statistically significant differences were observed. Among the three groups, the children in Group 2 showed a significant reduction in pain scores. Conclusion: Compared with kaleidoscopes and video games, virtual reality is a promising distraction technique for reducing dental fear, anxiety, and pain during local anesthesia administration in children.

Scenting serenity: influence of essential-oil vaporization on dental anxiety - a cluster-randomized, controlled, single-blinded study (AROMA_dent).

Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is known as an immense challenge in oral healthcare, which can result in compromised oral health, pain, and uncomfortable treatment. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of essential-oil vaporization on acute anxiety of patients in dental practices. Four dental practices used five weekly cycles of vaporization with each scent: Orange (Citrus sinensis), Swiss Pine (Pinus cembra), Good Mood (blended essential oils: Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus limon, Osmanthus fragrance (5%)), Forest Walk (blended essential oils: Abies grandis, Pinus cembra, Myrtus communis c. t. 1,8-cineol, Abies alba, Citrus paradisi, Abies sibirica, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Vetiveria zizanoides), and water. Acute anxiety was the primary outcome (state-trait-anxiety inventory (STAI-S)). Secondary outcomes were trait anxiety (STAI-T), dental anxiety (Kleinknecht dental fear survey), and pain perception in treatment (numeric rating scale). Across all patients (n = 486), STAI-S was slightly higher in the control group (40.7 ± 11.6) than in the intervention groups (38.4 ± 10.5). Post-hoc analyses revealed that the effect is only robust for the subgroup of female patients (n = 296, p = 0.044). We also conducted a post-hoc additional analysis on a subpopulation with an increased level of STAI-T ≥ 42 (n = 131 patients). For this group the difference in acute anxiety between the control group (51.1 ± 11.9, n = 30) vs. the intervention groups (46.8 ± 9.6, n = 118) was significant (T = 4.39, p = 0.0379). The results of the study indicate a promising potential of essential-oil vaporization to alleviate dental anxiety, particularly in the subgroups of patients with a high level of trait anxiety, and particularly in female patients. The calming effects of the essential-oil vaporization were also highlighted by the anecdotical statements of the dental-practice staff. The anxiety-reducing role of essential-oil vaporization alone and as one part of combined techniques to counter DFA should be further explored using multi-perspective methodological approaches in research.

The effects of a therapy dog intervention on dental fear and anxiety in adult patients undergoing dental procedures: a pilot study.

Dental anxiety poses challenges for providing effective oral healthcare. While therapy dogs have shown promise in various medical and mental health contexts, their use for alleviating dental anxiety in adults remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the emotional and physiologic effects of therapy dogs on self-reported dental anxiety. Adults with dental anxiety were randomly assigned to an intervention group (DOG; n = 19) or a standard care group (SC; n = 14). Standard self-report measures were used to assess dental anxiety (Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear [IDAF-4C+]), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9), and generalized anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7) prior to the intervention. Participants in the DOG group received a 10-minute therapy dog intervention before dental procedures in sessions 1 and 2, while participants in the SC group rested quietly for 10 minutes before their procedure. The SC participants received the 10-minute therapy dog intervention before dental procedures in the third and final session, while patients in the DOG group received no intervention prior to their third procedure. After the dental procedures, patients completed a questionnaire about their satisfaction with the dog therapy (Therapy Satisfaction Scale) and recorded their anxiety and comfort levels on visual analog scales. Continuous electrocardiographic recording measured heart rate variability during the intervention and dental procedure. Prior to the intervention, most participants (90.9%) met the IDAF-4C+ criteria for dental anxiety, with 7 (21.2%) meeting the criteria for dental phobia. The DOG group participants expressed high satisfaction with the therapy dog intervention. No significant differences in heart rate variability were observed between the groups during dental procedures. Therapy dogs can effectively manage dental anxiety in adults with mild to moderate dental anxiety, offering potential benefits for oral healthcare.

Is there an association between head and neck cancer diagnosis and self-reported dental fear? A dual-center cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Mental distress is highly reported in cancer patients, resulting in anxiety and depression most of the time. Both conditions, in turn, are recognized to be related to dental fear in adults; however, there are no studies on patients suffering from head and neck cancer. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether newly diagnosed patients with head and neck cancer are more prone to self-reported dental fear. Material and Methods: This dual-center cross-sectional study was conducted with 25 healthy outpatients and 25 patients with a recent diagnosis of head and neck cancer, all requiring dental care. The patients were informed at the first appointment about their dental therapy planning and the Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Dental Fear Survey (DFS) questionnaire was then applied after appropriate instructions. Results: The DFS total scores did not differ statistically between the groups (Mann-Whitney U test, P = 0,120) but the Cancer Group presented a slightly higher mean score (32.2 ± 10.0) than the Control Group (30.0 ± 14.2). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, newly diagnosed patients with head and neck cancer and healthy individuals seem to experience similar self-reported dental fear.

Effectiveness of Preoperative Alpha Wave Entrainment in Pediatric Dental Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Pediatric dental anxiety is a significant barrier to effective dental care, necessitating non-pharmacological interventions. Alpha wave entrainment has shown promise in adult studies for reducing procedural anxiety and pain perception, but its effectiveness in pediatric dental settings remains underexplored. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative alpha wave entrainment in alleviating anxiety in gender-specific participants to the interventions. Methods We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 252 pediatric patients (aged 7-12) with cooperative dispositions. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving alpha wave entrainment or a control group receiving conventional behavior management techniques. The experimental intervention involved 10-minute sessions of binaural beats with visual stimulation designed to induce alpha-wave synchronization. Anxiety levels were assessed using physiological measures (heart rate and blood pressure), both pre- and post-interventions. Results The intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in heart rate and systolic blood pressure post-intervention compared to the control group. These changes indicate a decrease in anxiety levels, with no significant gender differences in the response to the intervention. Conclusion Alpha wave entrainment effectively reduces dental anxiety in pediatric patients, with similar efficacy observed across genders. This study supports the incorporation of alpha wave entrainment into pediatric dental practices as a viable alternative to traditional anxiety management techniques.

Relevance of Emotion of Anxiety and Fear of Dentistry as Motivational Conflict in Oral Health Behaviors.

AIM: This study was undertaken with an aim to explore the influence of factors associated with anxiety and fear of dentistry on oral health behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 patients aged 20-40 years visiting the dental institute for the management of gum diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis) and tooth decay (dental caries) were enrolled. Fear of dentistry and oral health behaviors were recorded employing a dental fear survey (DFS) and oral health behaviors checklist. Each of the 20-item scale of DFS was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. The oral health behavior checklist was based on oral hygiene habits, patterns of utilization of dental services, food habits, and use of tobacco products. Each of the 13-item checklist comprised a closed-ended statement with a high score corresponding to more positive oral health behavior. RESULTS: Domains of dental fear (avoidance of dentistry, physiological arousal, and fear of specific stimuli) and total dental fear did not predict oral hygiene habits and nutritional preferences (p > 0.05). Physiological arousal was a positive predictor of utilization of dental services (p = 0.009) and oral health behavior (p = 0.042). Oral health behaviors were found to be positively correlated with three factors of DFS. CONCLUSION: Anxiety and fear of dentistry are not found to influence personal preventive oral care with reference to oral hygiene habits. Avoidance of dentistry factor of DFS is positively correlated with oral health behavior. Dental fear and anxiety do not impact oral health behaviors adversely. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In this era of youth and beauty, the utilization of professional dental care services is not affected by fear of invasive nature of dental procedures. Establishing the groundwork for knowledge regarding the scope of fear appeals in anxiety for dentistry may help to augment positive oral health behaviors for effective primary prevention of oral diseases. Interactions among personality characteristics, attitudes, emotions, and health behavior need further exploration. How to cite this article: Supriya, Singh R, Ahsan A. Relevance of Emotion of Anxiety and Fear of Dentistry as Motivational Conflict in Oral Health Behaviors. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(3):280-288.

Do Subjects from Different Occupational Groups Experience Dental Fear and Anxiety Equally?

Background and Objectives: Research into the relationship between occupation and dental fear and anxiety (DFA) is scarce. This exploratory study aimed to compare the level of DFA and its association with its predictors amongst adults from different occupational groups. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with 422 respondents from four occupational groups (physicians, teachers, industry workers, and artists) was carried out. A questionnaire on previous dental experience using the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS), Dental Fear Survey (DFS), and Self-Esteem Scale was self-administered electronically. The data analysis involved descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The DFA levels differed significantly across the occupational groups, with the lowest mean scores among physicians (DAS = 9.29 (SE 0.39); DFS-1 = 14.67 (0.63); DFS-2 = 33.94 (1.69)) and the highest mean scores among artists (DAS = 10.74 (0.38); DFS-1 = 17.19 (0.71); DFS-2 = 41.34 (1.92)). A significant impact of self-esteem on DFA was observed among physicians, teachers, and artists, but not among industry workers. Multi-group analysis with SEM revealed differences in the variable association (Chi-squared = 53.75; df = 21; p < 0.001), thus rejecting the hypothesis of the same mechanism underlying DFA across occupational groups. Conclusions: Individuals from various occupations experience DFA at different levels, and there are different mechanisms underlying their DFA. These findings can provide valuable insights for dental practitioners in developing tailored approaches to reduce the feeling of DFA of their patients.

Influence of experiencing SARS-CoV-2 infection on anxiety levels in Chinese patients undergoing third molar surgery.

Background: In China, most of the citizens experienced SARS-CoV-2 infection since the end of 2022. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected people's physical health and also had a significant impact on mental well-being. The present study aims to discover if the experience of SARS-CoV-2 infection influences patients' anxiety toward third molar surgery in the Chinese population. Materials and methods: The present study took the form of a questionnaire survey. From January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2023, patients who went to the Stomatology Center of China-Japan Friendship Hospital (Beijing, China) for the third molar extraction were included according to the inclusion criteria. The information on COVID-19 infection and the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) was collected. The software SPSS 22.0 was used for the statistical analyses. Results: A total of 574 survey results were harvested in the present study. The infection rate of COVID-19 was 86.6% (p > 0.05). The Average MDAS scores between patients who had been infected with COVID-19 and patients who were never infected were not significantly different (11.65 ± 4.41 vs. 11.42 ± 4.41, p > 0.05). The subgroup analysis was conducted according to the length of time after the recovery of COVID-19 (Model 1), and the highest temperature during the infection (Model 2). In Model 1 and Model 2, the one-way ANOVA test did not find statistical significance between the groups (Model 1 p = 0.114; Model 2 p = 0.481). The MDAS scores in female patients were significantly higher than in male patients (12.29 ± 4.53 vs. 9.91 ± 3.80, p < 0.001). Patients who extracted double teeth got significantly higher MDAS scores than those who extracted single teeth before the surgery (12.03 ± 4.74 vs. 11.24 ± 4.18, p = 0.037). Conclusion: The present study did not establish a significant impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the anxiety levels associated with third molar surgery among Chinese patients. The potential long-term biopsychological effects of the virus warrant further investigation.