Volume 30, Issue 1, 2021
DOI: 10.24205/03276716.2020.2048
Effect of Age, Gender and Socioeconomic Status on Perceived Dental Anxiety
Abstract
Background: This study describes the role of gender, age as well as socioeconomic status on the dental anxiety of four to seven-year-old children.
Method: The study group included 1045 children of age four to seven years, 542 were males and 503 were females, 520 belonged to low and 525 to high socioeconomic status. Dental anxiety was analyzed by calculating scores by using Facial image scale along with Venham picture test after asking the question as to how a child would feel when he/she has to visit a dentist. The scales were used to record the answers of the children in their first dental visit and was carried out by the examiner dressed in a casual wear without scrub and apron while the children were waiting in the waiting area of the dental clinic.
Results: Statistical analysis was done after using one-way analysis of variance test, independent student’s t test and paired Student’s t test. The results obtained showed that the children of lower age groups had higher anxiety than children of higher age groups and perceived dental anxiety decreased as the age increased, it was more for females than males and more for children from high socioeconomic status.
Conclusion: Gender, age as well as socioeconomic status have an effect on dental anxiety, hence should be considered while measuring dental anxiety.
Keywords
Dental anxiety; age; gender; socioeconomic status (SES); Facial image scale (FIS); Venham picture test (VPT)