Comparison of anxiety levels of dental procedures using hall technique, art and conventional methods in children and evaluation of parental satisfaction

Aim: Dental anxiety is an important factor affecting treatment success in paediatric dentistry. The aim of this study was to measure the level of anxiety in paediatric patients using different treatment modalities and to observe the degree of satisfaction of the parents. Material and Method: Seventy patients (36 girls (51.4%), 34 boys (48.6%); mean age: 6.46±0.92 years; 36 girls (51.4%), 34 boys (48.6%); mean age: 6.46±0.92 years) with no previous dental treatment experience who applied to Inonu University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Paediatric Dentistry were included in the study. The patients were divided equally into two groups and one group received modified atraumatic restorative treatment (mART) and the other group received Hall technique (HT). Finally, conventional technique (CT) was applied to all patients and the study was terminated. VPT, CFSS-DS, pulse and SpO2 parameters were used to determine and evaluate the anxiety levels of the patients during the procedures. Results: According to the CFSS-DS results, the 3 most feared procedures were "being touched by strangers", "injection" and "being looked at". There was a statistically significant difference between the pulse rate measurements at the treatment steps in the mART, HT and CT groups (p<0.05). At the 12-month follow-up of the restorations, the order of success was CT (92.3%), HT (91.2%) and mART (55%). Conclusion: Minimally invasive methods should be preferred in children's first dental visits unless there is a situation that requires an emergency procedure. Further studies are needed to identify and minimise anxiety in paediatric dentistry.