Assessment of children's anxiety throughout dental treatment by their drawings

The handling of anxiety is of paramount importance during dental treatment of children. A simple and convenient method to measure this anxiety is based upon children's color drawings, prior and during the treatment course. One hundred and ninety-two drawings were done by fifty-five children, aged six to seven years, of whom forty-five children completed a full course of treatment. Their clinical behavior was also assessed and recorded. A combined analysis of the drawings and the clinical behavior pointed at an increase of anxiety after the first treatment session and a decline after the second one. After completion of treatment the rating of the children's behavior became similar to that of the initial visit; however, manifest anxiety was still expressed in their drawings. The analysis of the Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) proved to be a sensitive and simple method for the pedodontist.