A comparative evaluation of pediatric dental anxiety levels before and after dental procedures performed under general anesthesia using different dental anxiety measurement scales

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dental anxiety and related factors in children and adolescents aged 4 - 14 years, as well as to investigate the prevalence of dental anxiety in children and adolescents after dental treatment under general anesthesia using different dental anxiety measurement scales. Material and Methods: Our study was carried out by statistical analysis of the data obtained from 131 healthy patients between the ages of 4 - 14 years, who were admitted to Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Suleyman Demirel University, before and after dental procedures performed under general anesthesia, at two different time periods. The data were statistically analyzed by Shapiro Wilk Test, Mann Whitney U Test, Pearson Chi-Square Test, Fisher Exact test, Levene test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (p < 0,05). Results: In our study, according to the results of the comparison between FIS and VPT values of the 4 - 5 age group, there was a significant and positive (p < 0.05) increase in dental anxiety values from time T1 to time T2; according to the results of the comparison between CFSS- DS values of the 6 - 11 and 12 - 14 age groups, there was no statistically significant correlation between dental anxiety values at time T1 and T2. The FBRS values applied to all age groups were found to have a statistically significant correlation with FIS and VPT (p < 0,05) and no statistically significant correlation with CFSS- DS values. Conclusion: The results of our study are important in terms of better managing the negative treatment processes caused by dental anxiety and dental fear in children of different age groups, determining the factors in the selection of appropriate behavior guidance techniques for pediatric patients and making the most appropriate behavior guidance option effective. Keywords: Dental Anxiety, Dental Anxiety Measurement Methods in Children, Behavior Guidance Techniques in Children, Dental Anxiety Measurement Scales, General Anesthesia