Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Introduction: The behaviour of a child in dental operatory is affected by many factors including age, temperament, previous dental experience, anxiety, fear, cognition, parenting styles. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cooperation of childs behaviour before and during dental examination, the correlation between the various selected sensory responses routinely stimulated at home and then in the dental office and the association between them. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 96 healthy children aged between 4-8 years at the time of their first visit to the dental hospital. Data acquisition was done by a questionnaire given to the parents. The child’s behaviour was categorized according to Frankl behaviour rating scale before the treatment and HOUPT behaviour rating scale during the treatment. The children’s reactions to the sensory stimuli of touch, noise, smell, taste, sight and vestibulocochlear sensation in dental office and that at home were noted by the dentist and parent respectively. Data analyses was performed using software SPSS Version 21.0 Chi square test and Pearson correlation test were used.Results:56.58% of the children showed a positive behaviour. The results showed that the child’s behaviour at home was significantly related to the child’s response at the dental clinic with a significant positive correlation (r=0.564) (p-value<0.05). However, adverse reaction was significantly more among subjects with negative Frankl behaviour rating score.Conclusion: Children who showed a positive sensory response to various activities at home showed a positive behaviour of sensory response in the dental environment. Keywords: Houpt behaviour rating score, Frankl behaviour rating score