The effect of pediatric dental clinical environment on children's behaviors in Riyadh City

Background: Fear of dental treatment prevents children from cooperation in the dental clinic. Children's behavior can be improved if the environment of the dental practice is modified. Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of the atmosphere of the dental clinic and the dentist's attitude on the patient's behaviors. Materials and Methods: A 13 questions survey was developed to assess the various factors contributing to childhood fears in the dental clinic. One hundred and thirty children presenting to Riyadh Elm University who agreed to participate consented. Results: Fifty percent of children prefer to have a female doctor, and 60% of them like to see a dentist in a white coat. Furthermore, 46% of children are happy watching a cartoon, and 44% enjoy listening to a story during treatment. The presence of parents during the procedure and getting a reward at the end show significant children satisfaction. In addition, having a play station in the waiting room and having a dental tour before starting treatment were useful tools to reduce the fear of children. Finally, the color and the smell of the clinic, as well as the time of the dental appointment, were not significant factors to improve children anxiety. Conclusion: Improving the environment of the dental clinic and the attitude of the dentist are crucial elements to reduce children's fear during dental treatment.