Assessment of Dental Anxiety Using Doll Placement Test in a Miniature Dental Setup among 3–7-year-old Children with Verbal Communication Challenges Compared to Children with Verbal Communication Skills

impersonal or insensitive treatment, feelings of embarrassment, concerns about radiation, fear of the unknown, lack of trust in the dental team, fear of choking, and a perceived loss of control while seated in the dental chair. 10 IntroductIonDental fear and anxiety are widely recognized as significant barriers to the acceptance and utilization of dental care, provoking physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses in individuals. 1Dental anxiety refers to feelings of worry, stress, or apprehension associated with dental settings often involving fear of pain or unpleasant experiences, as well as a perceived loss of control. 2 Dental anxiety is influenced by a combination of factors. 3It may stem from observing fear in parents or peers, prior distressing dental visits, or insufficient dental awareness during childhood. 3Individual personality traits, such as increased worry or self-consciousness, can heighten susceptibility. 4Negative depictions of dental treatment in the media, ineffective coping mechanisms, concerns about physical appearance, 5 and the sense of vulnerability when lying in a reclined position can further contribute.Additionally, sensory elements such as the sight of needles, the sound of dental instruments, distinctive smells like eugenol, or vibrations during procedures can intensify anxiety within the dental environment. 34]56789 Common fears that contribute to dental anxiety include apprehension about pain, potential injury, exposure to mercury,