Clinical Research Directory

Storybook and Animation Video Adjuncts to Tell-Show-Do in Pediatric Dentistry

This study is designed to evaluate strategies for reducing dental anxiety in pediatric patients. The commonly applied "Tell-Show-Do" method involves explaining and demonstrating dental procedures before they are performed. In this randomized controlled trial, three groups of children will be compared: Children who receive only the Tell-Show-Do method, Children who are prepared at home with a storybook prior to receiving the Tell-Show-Do method, Children who are prepared at home with an animation video prior to receiving the Tell-Show-Do method. Children's dental anxiety will be assessed using validated behavioral observation scales, including baseline measurement at the first examination, after preparation, and following completion of dental treatment. The study will determine whether the addition of a storybook or an animation video provides greater effectiveness in reducing dental anxiety compared with the Tell-Show-Do method alone.

Use of Augmented Reality Glasses and Noise-Cancelling Headphones to Reduce Dental Anxiety in Adult Patients

This study investigates whether new audiovisual technologies can help reduce anxiety and stress experienced by adult patients during dental procedures. Dental fear and anxiety are common barriers to receiving proper oral care. This randomized controlled trial aims to explore whether the use of specific devices-augmented reality (AR) glasses and noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones-can improve patient comfort and decrease physiological signs of stress during dental treatment. Participants in this study will undergo a standard dental procedure. In addition, they will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (no audiovisual intervention), a group using ANC headphones that play relaxing music during the procedure, or a group using AR glasses that display relaxing visual scenes along with the same music. Before the procedure, each participant will complete a psychological questionnaire (STAI) to assess their level of anxiety. During the procedure, physiological stress will be monitored using sensors that track parameters such as skin conductance (GSR) and heart rate. After the treatment, patients will be asked to rate their pain level and describe their experience with or without the audiovisual intervention. The goal is to better understand the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods in reducing anxiety and stress in adult dental patients. Participation in the study is entirely voluntary and will not affect the quality or availability of dental care. Patients may withdraw at any time without consequences. The study also collects basic demographic information and patient feedback to evaluate potential factors that may influence anxiety levels. By testing new immersive tools such as AR glasses and ANC headphones in a real clinical setting, this research may contribute to improving patient well-being and enhancing the dental care experience.

The Effect of a Kaleidoscope and Cartoons for Dental Treatment in Children

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.

Evaluation of Augmented Reality on Dental Pain and Anxiety During Primary Molars' Extraction

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of using virtual reality glasses compared to augmented reality glasses as distraction methods to reduce the dental anxiety and pain in children during extraction of primary molars.

Effect of Nature Sounds During Dental Filling on Anxiety in Older Adults

Dental anxiety is common among older adults and may lead to delayed or avoided dental treatment, which can negatively affect oral health. Non-pharmacological approaches such as auditory interventions have been suggested as simple methods to reduce anxiety during dental procedures. The aim of this randomized controlled study is to evaluate the effect of listening to nature sounds during dental filling procedures on anxiety, fear, and patient satisfaction in older adults. The study will be conducted at Artvin Oral and Dental Health Center with individuals aged 65 years and older who require dental filling treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a nature sound group, a white noise (placebo) group, and a control group. Individuals in the nature sound group will listen to recorded natural sounds, including ocean waves, bird songs, and light rain, through wireless headphones for 15 minutes during the dental filling procedure. Participants in the placebo group will listen to white noise for the same duration, while the control group will receive routine dental treatment without any auditory intervention. Anxiety, fear, and patient satisfaction will be measured before and after the dental procedure using standardized assessment tools, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and visual analog scales. The results of this study may provide evidence on whether natural sound exposure can be an effective, simple, and non-invasive method to reduce anxiety and improve patient comfort during dental procedures in older adults.

Turtle-Assisted Animal Interaction on Dental Anxiety and Physiological Parameters in Children

This study aims to measure the effect of a structured AAT session with a turtle present on dental anxiety and behavioral compliance in children during routine procedures that do not require local anesthesia in a pediatric dental clinic.

Effect of Play Dough, Slime, and Plush Toys on Dental Anxiety and Pain in Children During Dental Treatment

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of tactile distraction materials, including play dough, slime, and plush toys, on dental anxiety, pain perception, and physiological stress responses in children undergoing dental treatment. Ninety children aged 6-10 years receiving restorative dental treatment under local anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of four groups: play dough, slime, plush toy, or control group without distraction. Dental anxiety and pain levels were assessed using validated psychometric scales, while physiological stress responses were evaluated through heart rate monitoring and salivary cortisol measurements. The study seeks to determine whether simple non-pharmacological distraction techniques can improve behavioral cooperation and reduce anxiety and pain perception during pediatric dental procedures. Findings may contribute to the development of child-friendly dental management strategies and enhance the quality of pediatric dental care.

Lavender vs Bitter Orange Aromatherapy to Reduce Anxiety and Pain in Pediatric Local Anesthesia

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of lavender essential oil and bitter orange essential oil aromatherapy in reducing dental anxiety and pain in children during the administration of local anesthesia. Children aged 6-12 years undergoing dental procedures requiring local anesthetic infiltration will be randomly assigned to lavender aromatherapy, bitter orange aromatherapy, or placebo (empty inhaler). Dental anxiety will be assessed using pulse rate and blood pressure measurements, while pain will be evaluated using the FLACC behavioral pain scale. The findings are expected to provide evidence on the role of aromatherapy as a non-pharmacological, safe, and cost-effective behavior guidance method in pediatric dentistry.

Inhaled Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil, and Their Combination in Reducing Dental Anxiety and Pain in Pediatric Dental Patients

Background: Dental anxiety and pain are common concerns in pediatric dentistry. These issues can lead to negative experiences for children and can make it difficult for them to cooperate during treatment. While medications can help manage these symptoms, it can also have side effects. This highlights the need for safe and effective complementary treatments. Aromatherapy, particularly with lavender and rosemary oils, has demonstrated anxiolytic and analgesic properties in different fields. However, their effect in helping children cope with dental anxiety and pain during procedures requiring local anesthesia has not yet been thoroughly studied. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of inhaled lavender oil, rosemary oil, and their combination in reducing dental anxiety and pain in children receiving local anesthesia for extraction of lower primary molar

Do Therapy Dogs Improve Behavior and Reduce Anxiety in Pediatric Dental Patients?

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess whether the presence of a certified therapy dog during dental procedures that require an injection reduces anxiety and improves behavior in pediatric dental patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the presence of a certified therapy dog during dental procedure requiring an injection reduce anxiety and improve behavior in pediatric dental patients? * How do the parents of pediatric dental patients who participate in the study view the use of a certified therapy dog in their child's treatment? * Does the presence of a certified therapy dog result in different concentrations of microbes in the treatment room? All participants will receive standard of care. Researchers will compare the group with a therapy dog present to a group who does not have a therapy dog present to see if heart rate, oxygen saturation, percentage of nitrous oxide administered, and Frankl scores differ between the groups.

Effect of AI-Supported Child-Friendly Communication on Dental Anxiety in Pediatric Patients

This study compares the effects of traditional behavior management techniques and AI-assisted child-friendly communication on dental anxiety, physiological stress, and pain perception during local anesthesia in healthy children aged 6-12. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of AI-supported communication tools in reducing anxiety and improving comfort in pediatric dental treatments, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes and advancing technology use in pediatric dentistry.

The Effect of Music That the Individuals With Moderate Dental Anxiety Have Started Listening to While Waiting

It is aimed to evaluate the effect of music listened to in the waiting room on patients with moderate dental anxiety during the restoration of posterior occlusal dental caries on vital signs, cortisol and oxytocin levels of the participants.

Clinical Study Evaluating the Effect of Virtual Reality on Reducing Patients' Anxiety During Wisdom Teeth Extraction

Dental anxiety is common during third molar extractions and may exacerbate pain perception. Local anesthesia does not prevent exposure to stress-inducing stimuli. Virtual reality (VR) combined with hypnotic scripts (HypnoVR®) provides immersive multisensory distraction. This study tests whether VR reduces perioperative anxiety and postoperative pain compared to local anesthesia alone.

Musical Intervention for Dental Anxiety

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if listening to music during dental procedures lowers anxiety in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: does music during the procedure lower dental anxiety, and does wearing headphones without audio to reduce ambient noise also lower dental anxiety. Researchers will compare three groups to see these effects: music via headphones, headphones without audio, and standard care without headphones or music. Participants will: * Complete a short anxiety questionnaire before the dental procedure. * Receive one of the three approaches during the procedure: music via headphones, headphones without audio, or no headphones/music. * Complete a short anxiety questionnaire after the dental procedure.

Impact of Dental Desensitization Facilitated by a Child Life Specialist Distress and Cooperation

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether dental desensitization visits facilitated by a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) significantly impact pediatric patients' distress and cooperation levels from the start of desensitization visit(s) to end of the desensitization visit(s), end of desensitization visit to start of subsequent hygiene appointment, and end of hygiene appointment.

Music Therapy in Restorative Dentistry

After administering a questionnaire to collect demographic data (including gender, age, education level, and frequency of dental visits) and MDAS scores, patients with an MDAS score of 10 or higher, indicating moderate to high dental anxiety, will be randomly allocated into three groups (n = 25 per group). Standard restorative treatment will be performed on the selected patients under music therapy.

The Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses on Pain Perception

Positive experiences during a child's first dental visit contribute to the development of both acute and long-term positive attitudes toward dentists and dental treatments. However, some children may find dental visits stressful or frightening due to several factors, including being in an unfamiliar environment, fear of pain, negative remarks about dentists they might have heard from others, the sounds of dental equipment, bright lights, or even their parents' anxious demeanor. Addressing these fears and implementing strategies to reduce anxiety and alter pain perception can make dental visits smoother. Such measures also positively influence children's oral health, dental development, future dental experiences, eating habits, general health, and self-confidence. On the contrary, if the first dental experience is associated with pain and anxiety, this can condition children-particularly those who are more sensitive-to develop persistent dental anxiety. In severe cases, repeated exposure to dental procedures or clinic visits may evoke psychological trauma, leading to multifaceted negative consequences in the future. This study aims to compare the effects of an individualized game-based simulation presented through virtual reality (VR) glasses versus the conventional tell-show-do (TSD) technique on children's pain intensity and anxiety during dental procedures. A total of 88 children, determined through power analysis, aged 6-10 years and attending their first dental visit, will be randomly assigned to two groups using odd-even numbering. The study group (odd numbers) will receive restorative treatment accompanied by a VR-based game, while the other group (even numbers) will undergo treatment using the TSD technique. In the VR group, children will experience a specially designed interactive game that explains the treatment process step-by-step. The game aims to redirect attention away from discomfort using motivational elements such as visual-auditory stimuli, narrative-driven stages, and the goal of progressing through the game. Behaviors that support cooperation will be embedded as in-game tasks to improve compliance and reduce anxiety. In the other group, behavior management will be provided using the tell-show-do method. This includes explaining procedures using child-friendly language (tell), demonstrating non-threatening aspects of the instruments and environment (show), and performing the procedures accordingly (do). After informed consent is obtained, the treating dentist will select teeth based on clinical and radiographic criteria. Dento-alveolar images will be reviewed using VR glasses and explained to the parent, who will also wear VR glasses for an immersive consultation experience. A caries detection tool powered by artificial intelligence will support diagnosis. Treatments will be performed on the lower primary molars with mesio-occlusal or disto-occlusal caries not involving the pulp. Pain perception and anxiety will be evaluated using psychometric scales (SCARED, CFSS-DS, Wong-Baker, STAIC) and physiological measurements (pulse oximeter, heart rate) at standardized intervals: before, during, and after treatment. It is hypothesized that the VR-based game will result in lower anxiety and pain perception, greater cooperation, and more positive dental experiences compared to the tell-show-do method.

SleeperOne vs. Conventional Infiltration: Pain Perception in Mandibular Primary Molar Extraction

This clinical trial is being conducted in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University. The purpose of the study is to compare the pain perception and comfort of children during tooth extraction when using a computer-controlled local anesthetic device (SleeperOne® 5) versus the conventional syringe infiltration technique. Children between 3 and 5 years of age who require extraction of a maxillary primary molar will be invited to participate. Before starting, a topical anesthetic gel (benzocaine) will be applied. Then, local anesthesia will be given using either the SleeperOne® device or the traditional syringe, depending on the group assigned. Pain during injection and extraction will be assessed using both child-friendly rating scales and independent evaluation by the dentist. Patient anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure will also be recorded. This study aims to provide evidence on whether computer-controlled anesthesia can reduce children's pain and anxiety compared with the conventional method, leading to a more comfortable dental experience. The study is a randomized clinical trial and will be conducted in a single visit at the Pediatric Dentistry Outpatient Clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University. The results may help improve pain management and patient comfort during dental treatment for children.

Pain and Anxiety in Pediatric Dentistry: Computer-Controlled vs. Traditional Anesthesia

The purpose of this clinical study is to evaluate how different local anesthesia techniques affect pain and anxiety levels in children undergoing dental treatment. Specifically, the study compares traditional syringe-based anesthesia with a computer-controlled local anesthesia system. The study seeks to answer the following question: Which combination of anesthesia technique is most effective in reducing pain and anxiety in pediatric dental patients? By understanding the impact of these variables, the study aims to help dental professionals choose the most appropriate anesthesia approach to improve the comfort and emotional well-being of children during dental procedures.

Virtual Reality Distraction for Dental Anxiety (RCT)

The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to verify the efficacy of VR immersion over a muted cartoon on a wall-mounted TV to decrease dental fear and anxiety of children undergoing dental procedures. The study also aims to gain insight on the satisfaction of parents and healthcare providers on the use of VR during dental appointments. Main research question: Does VR immersion compare to a cartoon on a wall-mounted TV is more efficacious to decrease dental fear and anxiety of children requiring dental procedures? Participants will be playing through a VR immersive game wearing a eye-tracking VR headset that requires no movement of the head to play, facilitating the dental procedure. The investigators will take measures of the stress levels of participants and their parents using a validated stress scale and also by taking salivary samples to verify the levels of a stress biomarker (alpha-amylase).

Chamomile Gummies and Pediatric Dental Anxiety

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of oral chamomile on reducing dental anxiety in children. Anxiety assessments will be done by recording the pulse rate and blood pressure and by using modified child dental anxiety scale.

Electronic vs. Conventional Syringes: Impact on Pediatric Pain and Anxiety

Study Overview Purpose: To compare pain and anxiety levels in children aged 6-8 during local anesthesia administration using electronic vs. conventional syringes. Design: Split-mouth randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 40 children receiving both types of anesthesia during pulp therapy of bilateral maxillary primary molars. Objectives Primary Outcome: Pain level measured via Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Secondary Outcomes: Physiological markers: heart rate and oxygen saturation via pulse oximetry. Salivary amylase levels (anxiety biomarker) assessed using ELISA. Methodology Children are randomly assigned to receive electronic anesthesia on one side and conventional on the other in two separate visits. Saliva samples are collected before and after each injection. Double-blind setup: children blinded using sunglasses; statistician also blinded. Same operator administers all injections for consistency. Ethical Considerations Written informed consent and assent obtained. Risks (e.g., systemic toxicity, allergic reactions) minimized via dosage limits and patient monitoring. Privacy and data security measures in place. Statistical Analysis Data analyzed using SPSS; significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Sample size calculated for adequate power (n = 33 minimum; 40 enrolled). Funding Self-funded. Clinical Relevance Electronic anesthesia may offer a less painful and anxiety-inducing alternative for pediatric dental patients, potentially improving children's long-term attitude toward dental care.

"Study of Pain Perception Using Computer-Controlled Versus Conventional Local Anaesthesia in Children Undergoing Molar Extraction

This clinical trial aims to compare pain perception in children during dental procedures when using a computer-controlled local anesthesia device versus a traditional syringe. Children aged 6 to 8 years who need maxillary primary molar extraction will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: three groups using different speeds of the GENI computer-controlled device, and one group using a conventional syringe. The study will assess pain using facial expression scales and physiological measures such as heart rate. The goal is to find a more comfortable method for delivering anesthesia to pediatric dental patients.

Comparing Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Glasses to Help Children Feel Less Pain and Anxiety During Local Anesthesia

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if audio-visual method of distraction is useful to control the pain and fear associated with dental treatment in children. The main questions it aims to answer are: • How their body reacts-such as changes in heart rate, oxygen levels, and certain chemicals in their saliva-before and after getting local anesthesia? Researchers will test two types of glasses that display cartoons to help children feel less anxious. Participants will: * Have an introductory visit to be more familiar with dental environment and their cooperation will be tested. * In the next 2 visits they will wear either of the glasses while receiving local anesthesia * Saliva will be collected, and their heart rate and oxygen levels will be calculated each time