Assessment of dental anxiety by using graphological scale among 8-13-aged children

Abstract

Background: Dental anxiety is an important component of distress to patients in the dental operatory. If the dentist is aware of the level of anxiety of his patient, he is not only forewarned about the patient’s behavior but can also take measures to help reduce the anxiety during the operative procedure. Patients who are highly anxious about dental treatment may react differently than do those who are less anxious. We have many anxiety scales to detect in dental operatory but none of them have objectivity about reveling anxiety. Patients’ perceptions may change from time to time and so does their response. So we need an objective type of scale that will help to diagnose anxiety. Methodology: participants were divided into two groups 20 in each group. The children of both groups were given ACDAS scale to solve. (by patient and parent as this scale has an opinion of parents too) For detecting anxiety through graphology, Navrang Anxiety Scale (NAS), require unruled paper, writing matter, and pen was given to participants to write the essay and obtain the handwriting sample from the patient. Result: The significant association was seen between the graphological scale and the ACDAS scale.