Predicting dental anxiety. The clinical value of anxiety questionnaires: an explorative study

Abstract

Aim: This was to explore the usefulness of the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS) and the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), used prior to treatment, in relation to the actual behaviour displayed during treatment.

Methods: The study group was 26 children, referred to a special dental care clinic for behaviour management problems, mostly caused by dental fear. Questionnaires used were the parent versions of the Dental Subscale of the Children's Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS-DS) and the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Behaviour was registered on videotape and scored by independent observers using the modified Venham scale. Treatment consisted of a familiarization visit and two restorative sessions.

Results: There was a significant reduction in fear, based on pre and post treatment CFSS-DS scores, and also the child's fearful behaviour during the two restorative sessions appeared to be related. But no correlation was found between the CFSS-DS and the CBCL, nor between the CFSS-DS and the behaviour displayed during the treatment sessions.

Conclusion: The child's anxious behaviour during actual restorative dental treatment is not so much related to its own anticipatory dental anxiety or the anxiety of the mother. Results support the role of a multifactorial model.