Debankur Roy
We aimed to describe the behaviour of children during tooth
extraction appointments, compare it to their behaviour in preceding
and subsequent dental appointments, and assess the behavioural
differences according to gender, age, type of dentition, socioeconomic
status and reason for extraction. This was a study based
on information obtained from records of children between 6 and
14 years of age who were cared at the Dental clinics in Kolkata,
Howrah city (INDIA). Child behaviour was assessed during the
dental appointment that preceded the tooth extraction, during
the tooth extraction appointment, and in the subsequent dental
appointment using the Wenham’s Behaviour Rating Scale (0-4).
Results were analysed using the Pearson Chi-square. 30 children
were included from the clinics. Cooperative behaviour prevailed
in all the dental appointments. The prevalence of "mild/intense
protest" was higher in the tooth extraction appointments than in
the previous or subsequent dental appointments depending on
socio-economic status of patients and age factor. No significant
differences in behaviour were detected between the type of dentition
(primary or permanent teeth), reason for extraction or gender. In
general cooperative behaviour prevailed in the present sample
and a low prevalence of uncooperative behaviour was observed
during tooth extraction. Despite this fact there was an increase
in uncooperative behaviour during tooth extraction procedures
appointments compared to previous dental appointments. There
is strong association between procedure including tooth extraction
and too much invasive procedure including tooth extraction.
Tooth extraction may cause anxiety during treatment because of
possibilities of forceful or painful removal of tooth, thus resulting
in adverse behaviour and raising protest from the child. The
dental procedure may also represent a feeling of loss suggesting
a “psychological insult” to the child. The changes in behaviour
during tooth extraction are associated with sensational of local
anaesthesia.
