CORRELATION BETWEEN MOTHERS EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ANDCHILDRENS ANXIETY IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY- AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Aim: Toassess the correlation between emotional intelligence of mother and the anxiety level of their children in a dental clinic.

Methods: The study was done on a sample size of 80 mothers and their childrenaged 3-7years.A self- reported validated questionnaire ,the Schutte Emotional Intelligence scale was given to mothers to evaluate theiremotional intelligence and the children were assessed during the dental treatment procedure using Frankl Behavior Rating Scaleand Venhams Anxiety Rating Scale.

Results: A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was found between mothers EQ and Frankl scale r = 0.468, (p=0.000). A statistically significant moderate negative correlation was found between mothers EQ and Venham scale r = 0.450,(p=0.000) .

Conclusion:The findings of this study imply that mothers with higher emotional intelligence have children with lower dental anxiety levels during dental treatment.