Abstract

The aim of this study is to present objective measures of assessing dental anxiety in children and adolescents and possibilities of their use for dental practice. Early and reliable evaluation of child’s anxiety and its level is very important and should be an essential part of dental examination. Proper management of an anxious child in the dental office has a positive effect on young patient’s cooperation, reduces the levels of fear, improves the comfort of dentist’s work and increases the effectiveness of treatment. Objective methods of assessing anxiety are based on physiological responses to fear-producing situations. Although they play an important role in psychophysiology, they are not commonly used in everyday dental practice. It is mainly because they require financial outlays, specialized equipment and extra time spent in the dental office.

Adres: prof. dr hab. n. med. Katarzyna Emerich
Katedra i Zakład Stomatologii Wieku Rozwojowego GUMed
ul. Orzeszkowej 18, 80-208 Gdańsk
tel. 58 349 21 03
e-mail: emerich@gumed.edu.pl