Children's Choice of Dentist's Attire, Color, and Type of Mouth Mask: A Cross-sectional Study in Puducherry, India

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Scientific Dentistry

Author
1. Murugan S Dharani
2. Rajan Suwetha
3. Kathir Ramya
4. Adimoulame Sanguida
ISSN
2277-7687
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10083-0906
Volume
9
Issue
2
Publishing Year
2019
Pages
5
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (a Deemed University), Puducherry, India
    1. Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (a Deemed University), Puducherry, India
    1. Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (a Deemed University), Puducherry, India
    1. Indira Gandhi Institute of Dental Sciences, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth (a Deemed University), Puducherry, India
  • Article keywords
    Color, Communication, Mask, Patient preference, Physical appearance

    Abstract

    Aims and objectives: The study was done to record the preferences of children with regard to dentist's appearance. Settings and design: A cross-sectional descriptive study in the department of Pedodontics in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India. Materials and methods: The study sample comprised 385 children (4–15 years) who were asked about their concern as to who should perform their treatment (male/female dentist/anyone); the type of attire (white coat, formal, scrub, or cartoon); color of mask (white, blue, green, or pink); and the type of mask (plain, printed, cartoon, or magic) that they wish their dentist to wear. Statistical analysis: Chi-square test was used to analyze the influence of age, gender, and history of dental visit on the preferences (p value set as 0.05). Results: Girls preferred female dentists and boys preferred male dentists (p = 0.000), older children felt anyone could treat (p = 0.039). White coat was the most preferred attire (53%) irrespective of the gender (p = 0.016), and younger children preferred cartoon attire (56.1%; p = 0.000). Pink and blue masks and magic and cartoon masks were the most liked; middle-age group children liked magic masks (p = 0.000) and older children liked plain masks (p = 0.000). Conclusion: With increasing age, white coat fear, preferences for specific gender of the dentist, and child-friendly type of masks diminish. As first dental visits mostly occur around the middle age, it is wise to consider making appropriate changes in the dentist's appearance. Clinical significance: Child-friendly appearance of dentist would be more appropriate for children of younger age-group and could be considered for those visiting the dentist for the first time.

    © 2019 Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.   |   All Rights Reserved