Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Division Rehabilitation and Ageing, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Int J Paediatr Dent. 2018 Jan;28(1):62-70. doi: 10.1111/ipd.12302. Epub 2017 Apr 12.
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.
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.
A mixed-methods design was employed.
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.
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'.
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.
评估儿童就诊时的焦虑状况是评估的重要组成部分；然而，牙医在实践中使用牙科焦虑量表的情况并未得到很好的记录。
介绍儿童牙科焦虑量表，并监测牙医使用这些量表的程度；探讨牙医在焦虑评估方面的经验和看法。
采用混合方法设计。
为东安格利亚牙科学院的儿科牙医制定了儿童焦虑评估方案。6 个月后，对 100 份患者档案进行审核，以检查方案的依从性。对 14 名牙医进行访谈，以探讨他们在焦虑评估方面的经验和看法。
仅对 5 名患者使用了量表。对牙医访谈的主题分析揭示了三个主题：“临床观察和经验：黄金标准”；“量表作为估计或辅助手段”；以及“使用量表的缺点和障碍”。
我们研究中的牙医没有使用焦虑量表，而是依赖自己的经验/判断。因此，量表应作为判断的辅助手段推荐。由于临床医生缺乏管理焦虑问卷的时间和专业知识，因此建议使用简短的量表。可以在本科培训中更多地纳入使用量表和实践经验的优势。
