Assessment of relationship between maternal personality trait with behavioure of children aged 4-9 years during conventional dental treatment

Abstract

Understanding of childrens behavior in dental setting is the foundation of dental treatment for children and, at the same time, promoting a positive attitude toward dentistry. So, the study of childrens behavior and factors related to it can help us to find how to manage children in dental office effectively. Purpose: The present study investigated the correlations between maternal personality trait and child behaviour in the dental setting. Materials & methods: This is an analytical-descriptive (cross-sectional) study that was done on 120 children (age ranged 4-9 years) and their mothers attending the Department of Pediatric Dentistry of Tabriz Medical Science University for the first time. The (NEO-FFI) personality trait questionnaire was administered to qualify maternal personality .The childrens behavior was assessed using Frankle behavior scale. Results: The result revealed significant positive correlation between extroversion (p<0.01), r= 0/278 and Conscientiousness (p<0.05) , r= 0/182 dimension of mothers personality and child behavior. Regression analysis indicated that extroversion (p<0/01, B=0/47) and conscientiouness ( p<0/05, B=0/154) are effective in predicting child behavior. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that the childs behavior in the dental setting is correlated to mothers personality trait.