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The Effect of a Kaleidoscope and Cartoons for Dental Treatment in Children
Sponsor: Dicle University
Summary
Dental fear and anxiety are among the most common challenges encountered in pediatric dental practice and may negatively affect children's cooperation and acceptance of dental treatment. Local anesthesia injections are considered one of the main sources of pain and anxiety during dental procedures in children. Although pharmacological methods can be effective in managing pain and anxiety, they may not always be preferred due to potential side effects, limited applicability, and the possibility of increasing stress in children. Therefore, non-pharmacological behavioral management techniques, particularly distraction methods, are increasingly used in pediatric dentistry to reduce pain perception and anxiety. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the effects of kaleidoscope use and cartoon distraction on pain, fear, and anxiety associated with local anesthesia injections in children undergoing dental treatment. The study will be conducted at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University. A total of 126 children aged between 7 and 12 years who require local infiltration anesthesia during dental treatment will be included in the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: the Kaleidoscope Group, the Cartoon Distraction Group, or the Control Group. Children in the kaleidoscope group will use a kaleidoscope during the local anesthesia injection, while children in the cartoon group will watch cartoons during the procedure. In the control group, local anesthesia will be administered according to the routine clinical procedure without any distraction technique. Pain, fear, and anxiety levels will be assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, the Children's Fear Scale, and the Children's Anxiety Scale-State. Behavioral responses will also be evaluated using the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of simple and non-pharmacological distraction techniques in reducing pain and anxiety associated with local anesthesia injections in pediatric dental patients.
Official title: The Effect of a Kaleidoscope and Cartoons on Pain and Anxiety Associated With Local Anesthetic Injection for Dental Treatment in Children
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
7 Years - 12 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
126
Start Date
2026-03-10
Completion Date
2026-05-10
Last Updated
2026-03-13
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Kaleidoscope Distraction
Children will use a kaleidoscope as a visual distraction technique during the administration of local infiltration anesthesia. Before the procedure, the researcher will explain how to use the kaleidoscope, and the child will continue using it throughout the injection.
Cartoon Distraction
Children will watch cartoons as an audiovisual distraction technique during the administration of local infiltration anesthesia. The cartoon will be started immediately before the injection and will continue throughout the procedure.
Locations (1)
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University
Diyarbakır, Diyarbakır, Turkey (Türkiye)