A Study on Visual Exploration of Children and Adolescents during Dental Treatment

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate visual exploration of children and adolescents during dental treatment by examining time ratio of eye opening in various age groups.<br/>This study reviewed 5 - 15 year-old patients who visited the department of pediatric dentistry of Yonsei University Dental Hospital from March to October 2018. Restorative treatment or sealant application was done by one pediatric dentist. A trained observer used 2 stopwatches to measure total treatment time and time of open eye. Average ratios of eye opening were calculated and compared.<br/>60 patients were investigated, with 15 patients in each age group. Average ratio of eye opening increased as age decreased (<i>p</i> < .001). The average of 13 - 15 year-olds was significantly shorter than that of children younger than 12 years (<i>p</i> < .005).<br/>This study indicated that children have higher rates of eye opening during dental treatment than adolescents.