Dental anxiety among 4-7-year-old children measured by hand gestures: A new modified visual analog scale (Dave's hand gesture scale)

Abstract

Introduction: Dental Anxiety (DA) can have a serious impact on daily life and is a significant barrier for seeking and receiving dental care. Hence, our aim is to develop new scale for the assessment of DA in children between 4 and 7 years. Methodology: Visual analouge scale(VAS) and Dave's hand gesture scales were laminated on A2 size paper, which was shown to 60 participants before the procedure, immediately after the procedure and ½ h postprocedure and the participants were asked to show the score on the laminated sheet without the presence of any of the parent/guardian. Result: Descriptive analysis of all the explanatory and outcome parameters was performed. Friedman's test was used to compare the mean anxiety rating scores of both rating scales. Pearson correlation test was accustomed to correlate the anxiety rating scores. Chi-square test was used to compare the preference/liking of the different anxiety rating scales. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. The results were statistically significant the new scale was in accordance with VAS. Conclusion: Dave's hand gesture scale is a reliable and valid measure of child's DA.