Exposure to Electronic Screens and Children's Anxiety and Behavior During Dental Treatment

Purpose:The purposes of this study were to (1) assess the relationship between exposure time to electronic screens and children's anxiety and behavior manage ment problems during dental treatment; and (2) evaluate the effect of the underlying confounding factors.
Methods:A cross-sectional study of 95 five- to eight-year-old patients was conducted. The study consisted of two sessions, one week apart. During the first visit, the socioeconomic status of the family was assessed, and examination and preventive measures were performed. One of the parents was asked to report screen time use by the child over a one week period using a valid questionnaire. In the second visit, dental anxiety and behavior management problems were assessed using the Clinical Anxiety Rating Scale and Frankl Behavior Scale, respectively.
Results: Anxiety and behavior management problems during a dental visit were significantly correlated with the participant's total exposure hours to electronic screens. Exposure to violent media was significantly different between participants with and without behavior management problems. Boys showed a significant higher exposure to violent media than girls.
Conclusion: Anxiety and behavior problems in a dental visit correlate to total hours of exposure to electronic screens. Therefore, limiting a child's screen exposure should be considered. (J Dent Child 2019;86(3):139-44).