[Observational research on the dental compliance of growing children. A behavioral analysis].
Epidemiology has always focused attention on analysis of environmental variables, in addition to biological or physico-chemical elements, that affect the onset and development of dental pathologies. However, other environmental events, such as behavioural repertoires, that may interfere with medical treatment, reducing the chances of recovery, have never been analysed. This study, which was performed in two groups of children aged between six and ten who were examined either inside or outside to school setting, aimed to identify, in addition to the incidence of dental pathologies, the frequency of occurrence of those patterns that risk developing into non-compliant behaviour repertoires to the dentist setting. Results show a generalised response of fear and anxiety in both groups, particularly in older children. It is suggested that the prevention of biological as wall as maladaptive behavioural patterns might lead to a reduction of the social burden determined by the cost of medical care.