DENTAL FEAR AND ANXIETY IN CHILDREN AND IT’S MANAGEMENT

Dental Fear is produced by a real immediately present specific stimulus (e.g. needles dental handpiece) or it can also be aroused based on the feelings and attitudes suggested by family peers or media. Dental anxiety occurs due to the dental treatment procedure and is related with negative expectations which are often linked to earlier traumatic experiences fear of pain and trauma and perceptions of a painful previous dental treatment. Children exhibit a broad range of physical intellectual emotional and social development and a diversity of attitudes and temperament it is important that dentists acknowledge that children have a unique personality or a special need that requires both knowledge and special attention. We hope that readers will find this monograph useful in understanding the origin and etiology of dental fear and anxiety and the use of newer behavior management techniques in improving dental experience and oral health of the children.