Changes in the dental office environment during the pandemic may affect the children'sdental anxiety.This double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical study aimed to assess children'sdental anxiety focusing on changes in the dental office environment with the ChildDrawing: Hospital (CD: H) picture test.The results showed that most children exhibitedpositive or very positive behavior and were not significantly affected by changes in thedental environment or clinical attire. The evaluations from the psychiatrist and dentistusing CD: H were highly consistent.
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.
Other: oral examination
The pre-examination behaviors and attitudes of the children included in the study were
measured by an independent dentist (Ş.Y.İ) using the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale (FS).
Following this, the children were randomly divided into two groups PCC and CCC . The oral
examination of PCC group was done in an isolated dental environment with white overalls,
an FFP3 mask, and a visor. The oral examination of CCC group was done in normal dental
environment with a standard white coat and surgical mask.After that, patients were asked
to draw themselves or the pediatric dentist who performed the examination. A child
psychiatrist (B.A.S.) and a pediatric dentist (R.D) with an internationally valid "Child
Drawing Analysis" training certificate evaluated the children's drawings independently.
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
Gazi University
Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey
Haluk Bodur, Prof. Dr, Study Chair
Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry