Dental Office Noise as Key Trigger of Anxiety in Children, Advocates Non-Invasive Solutions

Bhaskaran Sathyapriya¹, Swamikannu Bhuminathan, ² Jayesh S Raghavendra^3*, Adugula Chandrakala ⁴, Geo Danny C⁵, Vignesh N R⁵

This study showed noise as a significant trigger of dental anxiety in children, suggesting non-invasive techniques to enhance pediatric dental care.

Abstract

Background: Dental anxiety is often triggered by specific stimuli encountered during dental procedures, such as the noise of dental drills and other equipment. Despite advancements in dental practices, the auditory environment within dental offices continues to evoke significant fear and anxiety among young patients, which can have profound implications on their oral and overall health. Methods: This study aimed to assess the specific apprehension related to noise in the dental office among children aged 6-15 years using Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS). The study involved circulating a questionnaire among the selected subjects, collecting demographic data, and analyzing the participants' responses to sounds commonly encountered during dental visits. Statistical methods were employed to identify trends and correlations between the auditory stimuli and the levels of dental fear and anxiety reported by the children. Ethical guidelines were strictly followed, with informed consent obtained from parents or guardians and assent from the children. Results: The results indicated a significant correlation between dental noise and anxiety levels among the study subjects. Females were more likely to avoid dental visits due to fear and anxiety compared to males. Noise was identified as a primary factor contributing to dental anxiety, with both males and females reporting moderate to high levels of annoyance from dental sounds. The study also found that audiovisual distractions, such as watching TV, were preferred by a significant proportion of children as a coping mechanism to mitigate the impact of noise during dental visits. Conclusion: This study highlights the significant role of noise in contributing to dental anxiety among children. The findings suggest that dental professionals should consider implementing non-invasive techniques, such as audiovisual distractions, to manage anxiety in young patients.

Keywords: Dental anxiety, pediatric dentistry, dental office noise, Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale, auditory stimuli

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