Dental Anxiety, Pain
Conditions
Keywords
Therapeutic play, Virtual reality glasses, Local anesthesia, Pediatric dentistry
Brief summary
Background: A child's first dental experience plays a crucial role in treatment success and in fostering cooperation during future visits. In pediatric dentistry, various non-pharmacological approaches have been implemented to prepare children for dental procedures. This study aims to evaluate the effects of two such approaches-therapeutic play and virtual reality glasses-designed to familiarize children with dental instruments, on pain perception and dental anxiety. Methods: A total of 66 healthy children aged 6-9 years attending their first dental visit at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of Ataturk University will be included. Participants will be randomly assigned into three groups: one group will receive therapeutic play before local anesthesia; the second group will use virtual reality glasses before local anesthesia; and the control group will receive local anesthesia without any preparatory intervention. Dental anxiety and pain will be assessed using the Modified Children's Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS), the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBS), and the FLACC scale. Physiological parameters including heart rate and oxygen saturation will be recorded before and after anesthesia.
Detailed description
Children often experience dental anxiety during their first dental visit, particularly before local anesthesia. Non-pharmacological approaches such as therapeutic play and virtual reality distraction may help reduce anxiety and pain perception. This randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of therapeutic play and virtual reality glasses with routine care in reducing dental anxiety and pain in children aged 6-9 years. Anxiety was assessed using the Modified Children's Dental Anxiety Scale, pain was evaluated using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and FLACC scale, and physiological parameters were recorded.
Interventions
DEVICEIntervention 1: Therapeutic Play Group
Therapeutic play intervention before local anesthesia
BEHAVIORALIntervention 2: Virtual Reality Glasses Group
Use of virtual reality glasses before local anesthesia
OTHERcontrol group
Routine local anesthesia without preparatory intervention
Sponsors
Ataturk University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 9 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Children aged 6 to 9 years * Attending their first dental visit * Participation voluntarily approved by both the child and the parent or legal guardian
Exclusion criteria
* Presence of acute dental pain * Presence of systemic health problems * Allergy to the modeling compound used in the playset * Any visual or auditory impairment that could interfere with the use of virtual reality glasses
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dental anxiety score measured by the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS) | Baseline (before intervention), Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection | Dental anxiety assessed using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS), a validated questionnaire consisting of 8 items. Total scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating higher dental anxiety. |
| Pain score measured by the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale | Baseline (before intervention), Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection | Pain intensity assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate more severe pain. |
| Pain score measured by the FLACC scale | Baseline (before intervention), Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection | Pain intensity assessed using the FLACC scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability), with scores ranging from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate more severe pain. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) | Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection | Oxygen saturation (SpO₂, %) measured using a pulse oximeter. |
| Heart Rate (beats per minute) | Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection | Heart rate measured using a pulse oximeter |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMehpare yener
Ataturk University
Outcome results
None listed