Objective:

To determine fear and anxiety levels with respect to dental treatment of children treated at the University of Cartagena.

Material and methods:

By means of a cross-sectioned design, 284 children aged 3-8 years were selected; children with cognitive and motor disabilities as well as syndromes were excluded. Combined fear scale was applied to children ages 6-8 years, children aged 3-5 received modified Corah scale directed to the parents. Descriptive statistical tests were applied; to establish comparison among groups t-Student, ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied, assuming 0.05 significance level.

Results:

High levels of fear and anxiety were found during anesthesia administration, noise elicited by rotary instruments and tooth isolation. Differences were observed related to age during consultation (p = 0.03) and tooth isolation (p = 0.02) and with gender during prophylaxis (p = 0.02).

Conclusion:

High levels of fear and anxiety when confronted to a dental appointment were observed in children treated at the University of Cartagena. It is suggested these levels differ according to age, gender and dental procedures.

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