Dental Anxiety in Children, Teledentistry
Conditions
Keywords
Teledentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Anxiety, Child, Facial Image Scale, First Dental Visit, Pulse Oximetry, Heart Rate
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of a brief teledentistry consultation on dental anxiety in children aged 7-11 years. Two hundred children with no previous dental visits or treatment experience were randomly assigned to either a teledentistry group or a conventional clinical examination group. The teledentistry group received a standardized 3-5-minute pre-appointment video consultation via WhatsApp before their first dental visit. Dental anxiety was assessed using subjective and physiological parameters before and after the examination. The study investigated whether teledentistry could reduce dental anxiety and improve children's adaptation to their first dental visit.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul Aydin University, Istanbul, Turkey. The study included 200 children aged 7-11 years with no previous dental visits, dental treatment experience, or dental complaints. Participants were randomly allocated to either a teledentistry group (n=100) or a conventional clinical examination group (n=100). In the teledentistry group, children participated in a standardized synchronous 3-5-minute pre-appointment consultation via WhatsApp. During the consultation, children were introduced to the dentist, dental instruments, oral health concepts, and the examination process. The conventional group underwent direct face-to-face examination without prior virtual interaction. Dental anxiety was assessed using the Facial Image Scale (FIS), heart rate, and oxygen saturation measured before and after clinical examination. The primary outcome was the difference in post-examination FIS scores between groups. Secondary outcomes included changes in heart rate and oxygen saturation.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALTeledentistry Consultation
A standardized synchronous teledentistry consultation delivered via WhatsApp for 3-5 minutes before the first dental examination. Children were introduced to the dentist, dental instruments, oral health concepts, and the examination process.
OTHERConventional Clinical Examination
Participants underwent a routine face-to-face dental examination without prior teledentistry consultation. Children attended their first dental visit and received a standard clinical examination performed by a pediatric dentist.
Sponsors
Istanbul Aydın University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: a teledentistry group and a conventional clinical examination group in a 1:1 allocation ratio.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
7 Years to 11 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Children aged 7 to 11 years. * Children attending their first dental examination appointment. * Children requiring a non-emergency dental examination. * Children and their parents/legal guardians who provided written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Children with previous dental treatment experience. * Children with systemic diseases, neurological disorders, or developmental disabilities that could affect anxiety assessment. * Children requiring emergency dental treatment. * Children whose parents/legal guardians did not provide consent.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Subjective dental anxiety in children | Before and immediately after the first dental examination (same day) | Dental anxiety levels of children assessed before and after the first dental examination using the Facial Image Scale (FIS). |
| Objective dental anxiety assessed by oxygen saturation | Before and immediately after the first dental examination (same day) | Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) was measured before and immediately after the first dental examination as an objective physiological parameter of dental anxiety. |
| Objective dental anxiety assessed by heart rate | Before and immediately after the first dental examination (same day) | Heart rate was measured before and immediately after the first dental examination as an objective physiological parameter of dental anxiety. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed