Artículos de revistas
Fear and anxiety in children treated at the dental surgery of the University of Cartagena
Autor
Ramos Martínez, Ketty
Alfaro Zola, Lizelia Margarita
Madera Anaya, Meisser Vidal
González Martínez, Farith
Institución
Resumen
Objective: To determine fear and anxiety levels with respect to dental treatment of children treated at the University of Cartagena. Material and methods: By means of a cross-sectioned design, 284 children aged 3-8 years were selected; children with cognitive and motor disabilities as well as syndromes were excluded. Combined fear scale was applied to children ages 6-8 years, children aged 3-5 received modified Corah scale directed to the parents. Descriptive statistical tests were applied; to establish comparison among groups t-Student, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied, assuming 0.05 significance level. Results: High levels of fear and anxiety were found during anesthesia administration, noise elicited by rotary instruments and tooth isolation. Differences were observed related to age during consultation (p = 0.03) and tooth isolation (p = 0.02) and with gender during prophylaxis (p = 0.02). Conclusion: High levels of fear and anxiety when confronted to a dental appointment were observed in children treated at the University of Cartagena. It is suggested these levels differ according to age, gender and dental procedures.