EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY CONTENTS.

Vol. 10 No. 3      September 2009

ISSN: 1591-996X      UBIC: 116-O

ABSTRACT: Aim Assessing the perception of the aesthetic components of the oral health by paediatric patients at different stages of the child psychological development of Piaget. Materials and methods: Twenty children aged between 21 months and 11 years, of both sexes, patients of a private clinic, were selected. The present study group consisted of patients treated for oral pathologies. A set of similar supplies was given to ah children and they were asked to do a drawing, whose theme was "beautiful teeth and ugly teeth". The drawings were evaluated according to the classfication of the cognitive development of Piaget. Results: Children of all ages clearly represent their perception of what "beautiful teeth" and "ugly teeth" are. These representations provide the dental professional a clear vision of the child's feeling about dental aesthetics. Conclusion: The drawings are a useful source of information for assessing the aesthetic perception of paediatric patients. The knowledge of the children's aesthetic perception is relevant to paediatric dentists because children are conscious about their dental aesthetic appearance and that of the other children. KEYWORDS: Children; Dental aesthetics; Cognitive development; Child psychology.

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