Predictive factors for child behaviour in the dental environment

Aim This was to evaluate the potential factors that influence behaviour in the paediatric dentistry environment of children aged 48 to 68 months who have never before been to a dentist.Study design Cross sectional.Methods Child behaviour was evaluated using the Frankl scale during both clinical examination procedures and prophylaxis. All mothers of the 118 children investigated underwent a test to assess their anxiety (Manifest Anxiety Scale-MAS) and responded to a questionnaire on the medical history of the child as well as socioeconomic factors. The children were given a test to assess their anxiety (Venham Picture Test-VPT).Statistics The statistical tests adopted were the Chi-squared test and both simple and multiple unconditional logistic regression.Results Children with high anxiety, those had previously experienced toothache and those had behaved uncooperatively during prior medical experiences, had a greater probability of behaving uncooperatively during their first dental consultation.Conclusions Dental professionals can identify the presence of predictive factors for child behaviour prior to the first clinical examination by including relevant questions in the dental and medical history, thereby facilitating a more positive initial contact between paediatric dentists and their patients.