Evaluation of dentistry fear in 3-8 years old children referred to Shahid Sadoughi Dental School in Yazd

Background: Fear of dentistry known as a key factor in preventing children from referring to the dentist even delaying or cancelling dental appointments. In this regard the aim of this study was to identify the fear of dental dentistry in 3-8 years old children referring to pediatric dentistry department of Shahid Sadoughi dental school of Yazd and to compare the two aged groups in 2015-2016.   Materials and methods: In this study, 158 children aged 3–8 years referred to pediatric dentistry were selected and Questionnaire (CFSS-DS) was used to assess fear and anxiety and Frankel was used to assess child behavior. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and T-test   Results: The study was conducted on 158 children. Of these children, 124 (78.5%) ranged in age from 3 to 6 years and 34 (21.5%) ranged in age from 6 to 8 years, 92 (58%) boys and 66 (42%) girls and 112 (71%) had dental treatment history and 45 (29%) had no dental treatment history. The mean CFSS-DS scale score in the children under study was 45.60±10.55with a minimum of 21 and a maximum of 66 and the mean of the Frankel scale was 2.71±1.65with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 4.Results showed a significant correlation between CFSS-DS score and Frankel scale score with age variable (significant negative correlation with CFSS-DS (r=-0.334, p=0.000) and significant positive correlation with Frankel (r=0.258, p=0.001)).   Conclusion: It seems that dental treatment in 3-8 year old children is associated with fear and stress and children's attitude towards dental practice is neutral (between positive and negative) and increasing age is the only factor affecting them. Reduce children's fear and stress and make their attitudes positive.