Fear and anxiety previous to dental treatment in children from Acaraú-CE - doi: 10.5020/18061230.2010.p358

Authors

  • Karyne Barreto Gonçalves Marques Universidade Estadual do Ceará - UECE
  • Morgana Pontes Brasil Gradvohl Universidade de Fortaleza - UNIFOR
  • Maria Cristina Germano Maia Universidade de Fortaleza - UNIFOR

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5020/2038

Keywords:

Medo, Ansiedade, Criança, Odontologia.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the main causing factors of fear and anxiety of children previously to dental treatment. Methods: A descriptive and qualitative study held in the municipal district of Acaraú - CE with 10 children aged 4 to 6 years old, who did not present strong pain between August and September, 2006. At first, we applied the modified VPT (Venham Picture Test), an instrument containing a set of figures of children in different emotional states, which were presented to each child so that he pointed to what he considered to be further identified at the time. The second test, held before the consultation, consisted in asking to the children to free-hand draw the dental office, the dentist and auxiliary personnel asking to each child: what do you think about the dental office and the dentist? The drawings were submitted to idiographic analysis and categorized in units of significance for interpretation. Results: Three children on VPT and nine children on the drawings presented an increased level of anxiety. Causing factors such as the motor (high speed rotation), tooth extraction and white clothes could be found. Final considerations: By means of drawing we were able to efficiently obtain results in identifying some factors that cause fear and anxiety to the child patient. The modified VPT showed to be quick, easy to apply and acceptable to children, but sometimes was contradictory with the drawings.

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Published

2012-01-19

How to Cite

Marques, K. B. G., Gradvohl, M. P. B., & Maia, M. C. G. (2012). Fear and anxiety previous to dental treatment in children from Acaraú-CE - doi: 10.5020/18061230.2010.p358. Brazilian Journal in Health Promotion, 23(4), 358–367. https://doi.org/10.5020/2038

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Section

Original Articles