|
 
 |
| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 2 | Page : 49-51 |
|
Children's perception towards pediatric dentist attire: An observation study
Dhanalakshmi Ravikumar, Deepa Gurunathan, Shanmugaavel Karthikeyan
Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| Date of Web Publication | 22-Dec-2016 |
Correspondence Address:
Dhanalakshmi Ravikumar
22, Abdul Marakayar Street, Redhills, Chennai - 600 052, Tamil Nadu
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2468-8932.196479
Background: Studies have shown that children have preference tpwards dentist attire and this can influence their behaviour in dental setup. Aim: The present observational study was done to determine the children's preference and their perception toward pediatric dentist attire. Materials and Methods: A personal interview was done by a single, qualified pediatric dentist among 450 school children after obtaining approval from the school administrator and child's parents. Children aged between 6 and 12 years were participated in this interview. Results: Based on the response, it was observed that most of the children preferred their pediatric dentist to wear white coat and colored scrubs. Children were highly anxious on seeing their dentist with protective wear. Conclusion: This can be utilized to improve the friendly relationship between the child and pediatric dentist. Keywords: Dentist attire, scrubs, white coat
How to cite this article:
Ravikumar D, Gurunathan D, Karthikeyan S. Children's perception towards pediatric dentist attire: An observation study. Int J Pedod Rehabil 2016;1:49-51 |
How to cite this URL:
Ravikumar D, Gurunathan D, Karthikeyan S. Children's perception towards pediatric dentist attire: An observation study. Int J Pedod Rehabil [serial online] 2016 [cited 2023 Nov 28];1:49-51. Available from: https://www.ijpedor.org/text.asp?2016/1/2/49/196479 |
| Introduction | |  |
Since the time of Hippocrates, the physicians were advised to be well-dressed and clean. [1] The importance of a person outlook was also highlighted by Psychologists to develop a positive interpersonal relationship. [2] There continues to be a debate regarding dentists' attire and the choice of a white coat, suit, or scrubs influences patient's view of dentist. Several studies were published regarding children preference toward dentist attire. [3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8],[9],[10] However, all the studies give an overall view on children's preference level toward white coat, scrubs, formal attire, or a child-friendly attire. It is important to understand the reasons behind their preference for particular attire and it should be on their own views and to their level of understanding. As Jean Piaget had stated that, as the age advances the child way of thinking process becomes more logical and understands others perspective. [11] Hence, the present observational study was done to assess the children's preference for a particular attire and the reasons behind their likes or dislikes for the same.
| Materials and Methods | | |
An interview was done by a single, qualified pediatric dentist among school children after obtaining concern from the school administrator and child's parents. Four hundred and fifty children aged between 6 and 12 years were participated in this interview. A series of photographs were shown to children with dentist in different attire. The attire includes white coat, colored scrubs, and formal attire, with and without protective wears such as protective glasses and mask. As the children indicate a preference or dislike for a particular attire, followed by, each child was given a chance to justify their reasons for their likes and dislikes.
| Results | | |
Demographic data included 450 children, 232 boys, and 218 girls. Preference level of children towards different attire is depicted in [Figure 1]. Out of 450 children, 42.6% of children preferred white coat, 41.3% of children preferred colored scrubs and 16% children preferred formal attire. Anxious level toward protective wear is shown in [Figure 2]. Among 450 respondents, 342 children were anxious on seeing their dentist with protective wear and only 108 children were not anxious and preferred protective wear.
| Discussion | | |
The present observational study was conducted to determine the preference of children toward pediatric dentist attire and to explore the reasons for their preference toward particular attire. In the current study, 42.6% of children preferred their dentist to wear white coat. The reasons behind their preference towards white coat includes, color, symbol of healing, looks professional, increase their confidence level and interestingly, they believe and trust that doctors or dentist will wear white coat. This result is in agreement with the study done by Alsarheed et al., who had stated that white coat was considered as a symbol of healing. [4] The reasons for their dislike includes, fear of bodily injury, contamination of white coat, stains, or dirts will be easily seen. The children who preferred colored scrubs listed reasons for their preference such as, child friendly attire, bright color, attractive, looks simple and not threatening and children who did not preferred colored surgical scrubs gave explanations which includes, scrubs does not indicate them as doctors/dentist and gives an impression that they are not well-trained when compared to dentist in white coat and gives a scary feeling that they are going to operate. The suggestions of their dislike were similar to the study done by Kamavaram Ellore et al. The author had concluded that surgical scrubs remained as least preferred attire for the children and their parents in his study. [5] The least preferred attire was formal attire and their reasons for their likes includes, looks very normal and casual and not scary, and their reasons for dislike states that it is not exhibiting a level of professionalism.
Most of the children had stated that they were very anxious to see their dentist with protective wear. Few children preferred their dentist to wear protective wear and explained the importance of protective wear in the prevention of transmission of infectious disease.
Yet there is a mixed response from children regarding their preference towards dentist attire, but it is very clear that, though in the developing country fashion plays an influential role, but our children are still the same, preferring their dentist to wear a traditional formal white coat or a colored surgical scrubs. It is worth to mention that, most of the children were able to justify their thoughts and able to understand others perspective, i.e., understands the importance of protective wear, clearly justified Jean Piaget's theory statement of increasing level of understanding and maturational level among children as their age advances.
| Conclusion | | |
Most of the children preferred their pediatric dentist to wear white coat or colored surgical scrubs without protective wear. This can be utilized to improve the friendly relationship between the child and pediatric dentist.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
| References | | |
| 1. | Jones WH. Hippocrates. Vol. 2. Boston, MA: Harvard University Press; 1923.  |
| 2. | Berscheid E, Gangestad S. The social psychological implications of facial physical attractiveness. Clin Plast Surg 1982;9:289-96. |
| 3. | Mistry D, Tahmassebi JF. Children's and parents' attitudes towards dentists' attire. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 2009;10:237-40. |
| 4. | Alsarheed M. Children's perception of their dentists. Eur J Dent 2011;5:186-90. |
| 5. | Kamavaram Ellore VP, Mohammed M, Taranath M, Ramagoni NK, Kumar V, Gunjalli G. Children and parent's attitude and preferences of dentist's attire in pediatric dental practice. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8:102-7. |
| 6. | Kuscu OO, Caglar E, Kayabasoglu N, Sandalli N. Short communication: Preferences of dentist's attire in a group of Istanbul school children related with dental anxiety. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 2009;10:38-41. |
| 7. | Cohen SD. Children's attitudes toward dentists attire. ASDC J Dent Child 1973;40:285-7. |
| 8. | Patir Münevveroglu A, Balli Akgöl B, Erol T. Assessment of the feelings and attitudes of children towards Their dentist and their association with oral health. ISRN Dent 2014;2014:867234. |
| 9. | Brosky ME, Keefer OA, Hodges JS, Pesun IJ, Cook G. Patient perceptions of professionalism in dentistry. J Dent Educ 2003;67:909-15. |
| 10. | Panda A, Garg I, Bhobe AP. Children's perspective on the dentist's attire. Int J Paediatr Dent 2014;24:98-103. |
| 11. | Piaget J. Cognitive development in children: Piaget development and learning. J Res Sci Teach 1964;2:176-86. |
[Figure 1], [Figure 2]
| This article has been cited by | | 1 |
Child Dental Patient\'s Anxiety and Preference for Dentist\'s Attire: A Cross-sectional Study |
|
| Latha Anandakrishna, Sujatha Paranna, Prakashchandra Shetty, Asha Nara, Krishna Patil, Ashwini Avanti | | International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2022; 14(S2): S107 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 2 |
Pediatric dentist attire and relationship with anxiety in children and parents during covid-19 pandemic |
|
| Raghavendra Havale, Dhanu G Rao, SP Shrutha, Irin Mathew, Namratha Tharay, Kausar -E- Taj, Kanchan M Tuppadmath | | Brazilian Journal of Oral Sciences. 2022; 21: e225967 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 3 |
Oral Health Assessment of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Special Schools |
|
| Vilas Takate, Anitha Santosh, Adesh Kakade, Sayali Mali, Bhagyashree Deshmukh, Akanksha Juneja | | International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2021; 14(4): 548 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | |
|
 |
|
|
|
Search Pubmed for