Premium
The long‐term effect of previous dental treatment under general anaesthesia on children's dental fear and anxiety
Author(s) -
Aldossari Ghadah S.,
Aldosari Alanoud A.,
Alasmari Amirah A.,
Aldakheel Rwan M.,
AlNatsha Reem R.,
Aldossary Mohammed S.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of paediatric dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.183
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1365-263X
pISSN - 0960-7439
DOI - 10.1111/ipd.12455
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , dental fear , general anaesthesia , pediatrics , dental procedure , dentistry , psychiatry , dental care
Background Dental treatment under general anaesthesia ( DGA ) is deemed to contribute to children's dental fear and anxiety ( DFA ), both in the short term and long term. Objective To compare DFA between children who had previous DGA and those who did not. Methods A cross‐sectional survey included 5‐ to 12‐year‐old children who had undergone DGA (n = 43) and a control group who had not (n = 55). Questionnaires were completed by parents regarding sociodemographic and dental profiles. Children's Fear Survey Schedule‐Dental Subscale ( CFSS ‐ DS ) and the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (faces) (MCDASf) were completed by children. Results The mean age of the control group and the DGA group was 9.5 ± 1.7 and 8.8 ± 1.5 years old, respectively ( P > 0.05). The time passed since DGA was experienced ranged between 1.2 and 6.9 years ago (mean: 4.2 ± 1.1 years). The mean CFSS ‐ DS and MCDAS f scores for the DGA group (34.3 and 20.4, respectively) were significantly greater when compared to the control group (23.6 and 12.7, respectively) ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Children who experienced DGA are a high‐risk group for DFA several years after the procedure. The DGA status could be used for identifying anxious children to promote better behaviour management.