Citation

Ilieva E, Veleganova V, Petrova S, Belcheva A. Folia Med. (Plovdiv) 2001; 43(1-2): 16-19.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Higher Medical Institute, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. emilievabg@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Plovdiv University of Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15354459

Abstract

UNLABELLED: The self-report measure of fear of children dental patients is an important point in screening and determining strategies of behaviour's management. AIM: The aim of this investigation was to assess dental fear in students from the town of Plovdiv, aged 12, 13 and 14, by using Dental Fear Survey Schedule for Children (DFSS-DS) and to determine the causes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 312 students (161 girls and 151 boys) aged 12, 13 and 14, residents of Plovdiv. They completed the Children Fear Survey Schedule - Dental Subscale. 15 personalities, objects and circumstances have been given estimation points varying from 1 to 5. RESULTS: The results showed that the average level of fear reported amounted to 32.04 +/- 9.8 in girls and to 22.56 +/- 7.6 in boys. Fear of choking is the most frequently reported fear, fear of dentist drilling machines comes next. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the students at the ages of 12, 13 and 14 report quite a fear respect to dental treatment. As a result their oral health gets worse and requires working out of strategies to overcome fear.

Language: en