Behavioural Changes of Young Uncooperative Children Undergoing Dental Treatment in the Clinic versus Under General Anaesthesia

Aim: This study compared the levels of dental anxiety experienced by young uncooperative children having dental rehabilitation using general anaesthesia (GA) with those who had their dental treatments by “Tell-ShowDo” technique in the dental clinic. Methods: Out of 54 children, 26 had been treated under GA and 28 had been treated with the use of “Tell-Show-Do” behavioural approach method. At the initial examination, Frankl’s Behaviour Rating Scale, sitting patterns, Venham Picture Test (VPT) and Children’s Fear Survey ScheduleDental Subscale (CFSS-DS) of the children were recorded and compared with scores after 1 year. The accompanying parents were asked to complete Corah’s dental anxiety scale (DAS). For statistical analysis, chi-square test, t-test, Mann-Whitney test and repeated measure Anova were used. Results: The children in both groups showed similar behaviours with a reduction in their anxiety level after 1 year as measured by the Frankl’s Behaviour Rating Scale, VPT and the sitting pattern. The decrease in the CFSS-DS scores of the children in the clinic group was statistically significant (p<0.05). There was also a decrease in the children of GA group, but not statistically significant (p>0.05). Parents of both groups showed similar scores in the total DAS. Conclusion: Although, the children whose treatments were performed in the dental clinic with “Tell-Show-Do” technique became more familiar with the dental environment and procedures, GA also could be a suitable alternative for treating young uncooperative children with rampant caries.