Are Pediatric Patients' Dental Anxiety Levels Affected by Covid -19 Clinical Conditions?

Gazi University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Anxiety, Dental

Treatments: Other: oral examination

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06928493

GU.Ethics Committee 2022.07/1

Details and patient eligibility

About

Changes in the dental office environment during the pandemic may affect the children's dental anxiety.

This double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical study aimed to assess children's dental anxiety focusing on changes in the dental office environment with the Child Drawing: Hospital (CD: H) picture test.The results showed that most children exhibited positive or very positive behavior and were not significantly affected by changes in the dental environment or clinical attire. The evaluations from the psychiatrist and dentist using CD: H were highly consistent.

Full description

The study involved 120 children aged 5-7 years. All patients and their parents were informed about the purpose and method of the study before the study and signed informed consent forms.

Children's behaviors and attitudes before the dental exam were assessed using the Frankl behavioral scale. The children were then divided into two groups:The Pandemic Clinical Conditions (PCC) group, who were examined in an isolated dental office with special attire, and the Conventional Clinical Conditions (CCC) group, who were examined in a standard dental office with typical clinical attire. After the exam, the children were asked to draw a picture, which was then evaluated by a pediatric dentist and child psychiatrist using CD: H.

The results showed that most children exhibited positive or very positive behavior and were not significantly affected by changes in the dental environment or clinical attire. The evaluations from the psychiatrist and dentist using CD: H were highly consistent.

In conclusion, the changes in the dental office and clinical attire during the pandemic did not significantly impact children's anxiety levels.

Enrollment: 120 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 5 to 7 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Healthy children children between 5-7 years old no prior dentistry experience children willing to draw picture

Exclusion criteria

Children who had mental or physical disabilities children < 5 years old, previous dentist experience who refused to draw picture

Trial design

120 participants in 2 patient groups

Pandemic Clinical Conditions (PCC)

Description:

The oral examination of PCC group was done in an isolated dental environment with white overalls, an FFP3 mask, and a visor.

Treatment:

Other: oral examination

Conventional Clinical Conditions (CCC)

Description:

The oral examination of CCC group was done in normal dental environment with a standard white coat and surgical mask.

Treatment:

Other: oral examination