Behavior's evaluation of children with and without disabilities and maternal dental anxiety at the first dental care

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the behavior of children with and without disabilities and maternal dental anxiety in the first dentalcare of their child. Methods: The sample comprised68 children under 36 months of age. The test group was composed of 28 children with disabilities and control group was composed of 40 children withoutdisabilities. Demographic data were obtained using a questionnaire. The Ohio State Behavior Rating Scale was used to rate child behavior and the Corah Scale was applied to assessmaternal dental anxiety. Results: The category crying and disruptive movement was prevalent for children with (39.29%) and without disabilities (47.5%). The anxiety was low for mothers of children with (47.5%) and without disabilities (50.0%). No difference was observed between age and child behavior and maternal age, level of education and anxiety. Conclusions: Behavior of children with and without disabilities and maternal dental anxiety in the first dental care were similar.