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Abstract:
The development of dental anxiety is often related to dental experiences in the childhood. A. study (3) from Copenhagen shows that among 20-21-year-old Danes, 37% had a negative assessment of child dental care and 14% had phobic reactions to dental care. The article examines factors which could have influence on the psychologic atmosphere in the clinic and in this way the psychologic reactions of the child. Some factors are not specifically related to the dentist, such as the availability of parent/child's choice of dentist, the psychologic interaction in the treatment triangle, the specific interaction between the dentist and the clinic assistant and finally the physical aspects of the clinic (dental instruments, dental equipment, dental clothing, and colors and dimensions of the dental cabinet). Factors which are specifically related to the dentist are the dentist experience and psychologic skills and awareness of his own limitations, and requirement to take the time to communicate and create an atmosphere of confidence. Also sex and age could have some influence. Finally the dentist should have a thorough knowledge and experience in the administration of pharmacologic agents. The best way to evaluate the psychologic factors is continually to record the child's behavior in the treatment situation and the parents opinion about the dental care system. A very concrete way to evaluate, is to record some treatment situations on a video and discuss the communication and the behavior of the child with the clinic assistant.