Effect of Artificial Intelligence on Assessing Dental Anxiety in Children

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of an artificial intelligence-assisted projective assessment tool using the Facial Image Scale, the Venham Picture Test, and the Raghavendra, Madhuri, and Sujata Pictorial Scale as comparator measures. Dental anxiety was assessed with the AI-assisted tool and all comparator scales immediately before and immediately after the child's first interaction with the dentist during the same visit. Reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis, and criterion validity was assessed using Spearman rank correlation. Pre-interaction and post-interaction dental anxiety scores were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test separately for each measurement tool.