Determination of the state anxiety levels of 9-12 year-old children applying to oral and dental health center.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the state anxieties of 9-12 year-old children applying to oral and dental health centers for examination and treatment. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with 9-1 year-old children applying to the Oral and Dental Health Center in the city center of Erzurum for examination and treatment between 01 April 2011 and 15 June 2011. The number of participants was calculated as at least 233 with the help of the sample formula, which is used in cases when the number of the population can not be estimated. However, the study was completed with 248 children. The data were collected by using the questionnaire forms and application of State Anxiety Scale. Along with the decision of the ethical committee, permission of the relevant institution and consents of both parents and children were received. Percentage distribution, analysis of variance, and t test were used to assess the data. Results: It was determined that 52.4% of the children were male, 78.6% lived in the city center, 71.4% brushed their teeth in the morning and in the evening, and 89.1% of them did not go for a check-up once every six months. It was also determined that while children who had previously gone for a dental examination and treatment had a total scale mean score of 45.60±5.82, and children who went for a dental examination and treatment for the first time had a total scale mean score of 47.67±4.82, and the difference between groups was found to be significant. Conclusion: It was found out that children who applied for their oral and dental health had high state anxiety scores.