Abstract

Introduction
The etiology of childhood dental fear and/or dental behavior management problems have been delineated in multifactorial contexts, with special reference to children’s temperaments. This study evaluated the effect of temperament and associated variables on the anxiety and cooperation level of preschool children in a dental clinic.

Methods and Materials
This cross-sectional study involved 103, 4–6-year-old4-6-year-old patients (39 boys and 64 girls). The Child Fear Survey Schedule Dental subscale (CFSS-DS) and the Malhotra temperament questionnaire were completed by the children’s mothers before the treatment.

Patients’ anxiety and cooperation levels were then assessed through three distinct treatment stages of fluoride therapy, anaesthetization, and drilling, by applying the Venham anxiety and clinical cooperation scales. Data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Chi-square tests for significance.

Results
A significant link was established between the mean of CFSS and the variety of temperament (P = 0.001). Anxiety and uncooperative behavior during injection and drilling were strongly linked with lower sociability scores. Furthermore, higher anxiety during the drilling stage was linked with higher impulsivity scores.

Conclusion
Temperament and some associated variables, especially sociability, are critical benchmarks in assessing children’s anxiety and cooperation in dental clinics.