ABSTRACT
Objective
Strategies to prepare the child with play activities in order to establish an initial friendly relationship between patient and dentist are widely used as a means to soften the inconsistent behaviors and negative emotions during dental treatment. Thus, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the emotions of children before and after performing play activities and at the end of dental treatment, as well as assessing child behavior.
Methods
A total of 74 children, both boys and girls, aged 4 to 10 years old, participated in this study and attended the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic for two consecutive semesters. The children responded as they felt through the Emotions Deck during the three stages. In addition, data on behavior and procedures were also collected.
Results
A total of 468 emotions were evaluated, of which 69 (14.75%) were negative and 399 (85.25%) were positive; the joy was the one of greater frequency in the three evaluated moments. A total of 128 (82.05%) positive emotions were observed before, 133 (85.25%) after the play activities and 136 (87.18%) of the positive emotions were after the dental treatment. As for negative emotions, 28 (17.94%) were before, 23 (14.74%) after play activities and 20 (12.82%) after treatment. Regarding behavior, only 9 (5.77%) were not registered as cooperative, while 147 collaborated (94.23%).
Conclusion
Therefore, it was possible to conclude that the majority of the patients presented positive emotions at the different moments evaluated and the negative emotions were observed mainly before the ludic activities, having a reduction after the dental care. Most patients demonstrated cooperative behavior.
Indexing terms
Anxiety; Fear; Pediatric dentistry
Thumbnail
