Kecemasan Gigi pada Anak Usia 12 – 14 Tahun Berdasarkan Malay-Translated Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale (MY-ACDAS)

Abstract

Dental anxiety is a feeling of fear that often arises in some individuals when facing dental treatment. This anxiety usually emerges as a response to experiences perceived as frightening or uncomfortable during dental and oral care. Dental anxiety is one of the main challenges in pediatric dentistry and is a common reason for avoiding dental treatment, which over time can lead to the deterioration of oral and dental health. The Malay-Translated Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale (MY- ACDAS) is one of the tools used to measure the level of dental anxiety in children. This study aimed to evaluate the level of dental anxiety in children aged 12–14 years in Medan City. This was a quantitative study, with data collected through interviews using questionnaires administered to 300 children aged 12–14 years. The statistical test used was the Chi-square test with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. The results showed that most children experienced dental anxiety, with those who had never visited the dentist showing higher anxiety levels compared to those who had. Statistical analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in anxiety levels based on age, gender, or previous dental visit experience (p ≥ 0.05). The conclusion of this study is that prior dental visits may help reduce children's anxiety, but they do not significantly affect their perception of dental treatment procedures