Determination of dental anxiety levels of primary school students evaluated at oral and dental health screening

Background: Determining the level of dental anxiety is crucial for the successful delivery of dental treatments in pediatric patients. Various dental anxiety scales have been developed and employed for this purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the dental anxiety levels of primary school students who underwent oral and dental health screening using The Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear Scale (IDAF-4C) and the Child Drawing: Hospital (CD:H) Scale. Methods: This study included 5th-grade students at primary schools who underwent oral and dental health screening. The children were asked to complete a questionnaire that included demographic information as well as the IDAF-4C scale. Visual-tactile inspection was performed to evaluate caries risk groups and treatment needs by final-year dental students under the supervision of four licensed pediatric dentists. The caries management by risk assessment (CAMBRA) form was used for caries risk assessment. Following the screening, the children were invited to draw pictures. Descriptive statistical methods and correlation analysis were used to assess the data. Results: Of the 146 children included in the study, 54 (37%) were girls and 92 (63%) were boys. There was no statistically significant difference in IDAF-4C or CD:H scores between children who had a previous dental visit and those who had not. While the CD:H score was significantly higher in boys, there was no significant difference in IDAF-4C scores between genders. Additionally, no correlation was found between the two anxiety scales. Conclusions: Both anxiety scales can be used reliably in paediatric populations. However, the child’s age and ability to express themselves should be carefully considered when selecting the appropriate scale. Regular screening programs should be expanded to allow early detection of dental problems and timely preventive measures.