Child friendly colors in a pediatric dental practice

• Main Authors: N Umamaheshwari, Sharath Asokan, Thanga S Kumaran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2013-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry
• Subjects: Anxiety of children; color; emotions in a dental clinic
• Online Access: http://www.jisppd.com/article.asp?issn=0970-4388;year=2013;volume=31;issue=4;spage=225;epage=228;aulast=Umamaheshwari

Background: The child′s perception of the dental environment is a significant factor causing dental anxiety. If the color of the dental environment can have a positive impact on the child′s behavior, it is possible that those colors may add to the comfort of a child, thus reducing dental anxiety. Aim: To evaluate the association between color and emotions of children in a pediatric dental set-up. Design: A total of 300 children aged 6-12 years were divided into 2 groups: Younger children (6-9 years, n = 156) and older children (9-12 years, n = 144). All the children were asked to shade two cartoon faces representing happiness and fear with their most preferred color. Results: For the positive emotion, 44% (n = 132) of the children preferred yellow, followed by blue 32.67% (n = 98). For negative emotion, 56.67% (n = 170) of the children preferred black and 42.67% (n = 128) preferred red. Association between color and emotion was highly significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study has attempted to advance the area of color research to dental anxiety in children visiting a dental clinic. The use of child friendly colors like yellow and blue in the dental work place could enhance a positive dental attitude in the child′s mind.