Abstract

MOREIRA, Kelly Maria Silva et al. Anxiety of guardian in relation to pediatric de. Rev. Assoc. Paul. Cir. Dent. [online]. 2015, vol.69, n.2, pp. 135-141. ISSN 0004-5276.

Since the influence of the guardians on the anxiety of the child is notorious, the aim of this research was to determine the level of dental anxiety of the guardian in dental treatment and which factors influence it. The study was approved by the local ethics committee. The convenience sample comprised 72 parents and/or guardians of children aged 6-13 years old, present at participating institutions for dental treatment: UAPS Jardim América/Serrinha of Várzea da Palma-MG, UAPS of Moema-MG and UNINCOR of Belo Horizonte-MG, also conveniently selected. In order to collect data, a semi-structured interview and the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) were used before the child's treatment. Data were recorded using SPSS version 17.0. Most guardians, who showed the highest value in the DAS, reported anxiety when their children go to the dentist (p=0.002). The guardians DAS was also associated with both office (p=0.009) and professional (p=0.009) features, the perception of the child's anxiety (p=0.032) and their own education (p=0.011). It can be concluded that generally the most eager guardians also find that their children are anxious to go to the dentist. Therefore, the pediatric dentist must act jointly, approaching parents and/or guardians for a tranquil and decisive treatment.

Keywords : pediatric dentistry; anxiety; legal guardians..