Dentists' use of validated child dental anxiety measures in clinical practice: a mixed methods study

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Alshammasi, Hussain, Buchanan, Heather and Ashley, Paul (2018) Dentists' use of validated child dental anxiety measures in clinical practice: a mixed methods study. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 28 (1). pp. 62-70. ISSN 1365-263X

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Abstract

Background: Assessing anxiety is an important part of the assessment of a child presenting for dental treatment; however, the use of dental anxiety scales in practice is not well-documented.

Aims: To introduce child dental anxiety scales, and to monitor the extent to which dentists used them; to explore the experience and views of dentists regarding anxiety assessment.

Design: A mixed-methods design was employed.

Method: A protocol for child anxiety assessment was introduced to paediatric dentists in Eastman Dental Hospital. After 6 months, 100 patient files were audited to examine compliance with the protocol. Fourteen dentists were interviewed to explore their experience and views regarding anxiety assessment.

Results: Only five patients were assessed using the scales. Thematic analysis of the dentist interviews revealed three themes: ‘Clinical observations and experience: The gold standard’; ‘Scales as an estimate or adjunct’; and ‘Shortcomings and barriers to using scales’.

Conclusions: The dentists in our study did not use anxiety scales, instead they rely on their own experience/judgement. Therefore, scales should be recommended as an adjunct to judgement. Brief scales are recommended as clinicians lack time and expertise in administering anxiety questionnaires. Advantages of using scales and hands-on experience could be incorporated more in undergraduate training.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/963132
Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Dentists' use of validated child dental anxiety measures in clinical practice: a mixed methods study / Hussain Alshammasi, Heather Buchanan and Paul Ashley. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2018; 28: 62–70, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12302. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Keywords: Anxiety Scales; ACDAS Facial Image Scale; Child Anxiety
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing
Identification Number: 10.1111/ipd.12302
Depositing User: Eprints, Support
Date Deposited: 13 Feb 2018 10:57
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 19:52
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/49759

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