Assessment of child psychological attributes using strength and difficulties questionnaire for prediction of child behavior at first dental visit: a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Predicting child behavior before the first dental visit is considered an effective approach that enables the dentist to guide child behavior during the dental treatment. AIM: The present study aimed to detect psychological attributes of children seeking dental treatment for the first time using the strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), evaluate actual child behavior during the dental treatment using Frankl Behavior Rating Scale, and test the association between these attributes and child behavior. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was conducted on 128 children aged between 4 and 7 years attending the outpatient Pediatric Dentistry clinic for the first time. Parents were asked to answer the SDQ, then a simple restorative treatment under local anesthesia was performed for children to evaluate their behavior using Frankl Behavior Rating Scale. RESULTS: About 19.5% of the study sample were categorized as psychologically abnormal, where emotional and conduct problems were the most prevalent psychological attributes by a percentage of 22.7% and 20% respectively. A strong correlation was detected between the total difficulty score and child behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological problems are common among children aged from 4 to 7 years and they also affect their dental behavior.