Comparison of Parental and Children's Dental Anxiety Levels Using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and Modified Short State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (EMOJI) Scale

Overview

Journal Children (Basel)

Specialty Health Services

Date 2025 Jan 8

PMID 39767961

Authors

Abdulfatah AlAzmah

Rajashekhara Bhari Sharanesha

AlWaleed Abushanan

Abdullah Bahjat Khojah

Alhussain Ali Dhaafi

Abdulaziz Ahmed Almakenzi

Adel S Alqarni

Maram Alagla

Abdulhamid Al Ghwainem

Sara Alghamdi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to assess dental anxiety (self and proxy reported) using a Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and modified short State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scale (Emoji).

Methods: 200 children visiting the pediatric dental clinic at the College of Dentistry at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University were recruited to assess their anxiety levels. The anxiety score was measured before and after the treatment using a short STAI scale and MDAS of 200 children using a Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and a modified short STAI (Emoji) Scale.

Results: The perception of children with MDAS was found to have the highest mean score of 14.54 ± 3.82 before the dental procedure compared to the mean score of 9.40 ± 2.90 after the dental procedure. This difference was statistically significant ( < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was observed in MDAS after the dental procedure and, in short, STAI before the dental procedure.

Conclusion: All children improved their dental anxiety levels before and after the procedure. Therefore, procedural experience may improve the child's response.

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