Direct ratings of acceptance of dental treatment in Swedish children.

The aim of the present study was to bring forward data of acceptance of dental treatment for 3-16-yr-old children in a population with good dental health and annual dental care, and to evaluate the influence on acceptance of age, sex, residential area, and previous experience and present need of dental treatment. The material consisted of 2773 children. Direct ratings of behavior were made at each of 10 different treatment steps passed during dental appointments. The majority of children needed no more than one dental visit and 79% showed positive acceptance at all steps of treatment passed during dental visits. Eight percent of all children sometimes reacted in such a way that treatment could not be carried out without restraint or undue delay. Dental fear was diagnosed in 3% of all children.