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.

Different Local Anesthesia Techniques for Mandibular Primary Molar Pulpectomy

This study aims to compare the effects of computer-controlled local anesthesia and conventional inferior alveolar nerve block on dental anxiety and pain in children undergoing pulpectomy of mandibular primary molars. Both anesthesia techniques are routinely used in pediatric dental practice and are considered standard methods of care. Children aged 6 to 8 years who require bilateral pulpectomy of mandibular primary molars will be included in this split-mouth randomized clinical trial. Each participant will receive both anesthesia techniques during separate treatment sessions. Dental anxiety, pain, and physiological parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and body temperature, will be assessed before, during, and after treatment using validated pediatric assessment scales and routine clinical measurements. The findings of this study may help identify the anesthesia technique that provides greater comfort and reduces anxiety and pain during pediatric dental treatment, thereby improving the overall treatment experience for children.

The Effect of a Preparation Video Using " Cartoon Animated Video Modeling" on Preoperative Anxiety Among Pre-School Children During The First Dental Visit: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of cartoon animated video-modeling in reducing preoperative anxiety among pre-school children during the first dental visit. Secondary aims include assessing the effect on parental anxiety and overall parental satisfaction. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which will watch an animated video modeling the dental visit, or the control group, which will receive standard pre-visit information. Anxiety levels will be measured at five different time points.

Effect of Aromatherapy and Music Therapy on Physiological Response and Pain During Mandibular Third Molar Extraction

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of aromatherapy and music therapy on physiological responses and intraoperative pain in patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety undergoing mandibular third molar extraction. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do aromatherapy and music therapy improve physiological responses during mandibular third molar extraction? * Are there differences between aromatherapy and music therapy in their effects on physiological parameters and intraoperative pain during mandibular third molar extraction? Researchers will compare an aromatherapy group and a music therapy group with a control group to determine whether these interventions improve physiological responses and reduce intraoperative pain. Participants will: * Complete the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) before surgery to determine eligibility. * Receive aromatherapy, music therapy, or standard care for five minutes before the surgical procedure. * Undergo measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation before and after surgery. * Report intraoperative pain using a visual analog scale (VAS).

Effect of Music Listening on Anxiety During Diode Laser Frenectomy

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of music listening on anxiety, stress, and pain in patients undergoing diode laser frenectomy. Participants were adults aged 18 to 65 years who were scheduled to receive frenectomy as part of their routine periodontal treatment. Participants were allocated into two groups: a music group, in which patients listened to a pre-recorded music performance during the procedure, and a control group, in which patients received the routine procedure without music. Anxiety and stress levels were assessed using validated questionnaires before and after the procedure. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale. In the music group, patients also completed an additional questionnaire about their experience with music during the procedure. The study aimed to determine whether listening to music during frenectomy could improve patient comfort by reducing anxiety, perceived stress, and pain.

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.

Reducing Pain During Dental Nerve Block Injections in Children

Title of Study: Effect of External Cooling and Vibration, Counterstimulation, and Needle Type on Pain, Physiological, and Behavioral Outcomes During Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Pediatric Patients Why was this study done? The inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) is a dental injection used to numb the lower jaw and teeth in children. Many children find this injection very painful and scary. Bad experiences can make them afraid of the dentist for years. This study was designed to test different ways to make the injection less painful and stressful for children. What did the researchers want to find out? They planned to compare three different methods to see which one works best to reduce pain, distress, and physical signs of fear (like a fast heartbeat) during the injection: External cooling + vibration (using a special device that cools and vibrates on the skin near the injection site) Counterstimulation (gentle tapping or pressing with a cotton roll near the injection site) A thinner needle (30-gauge instead of the standard 27-gauge) Standard method (27-gauge needle with no extra distraction) - this is the control group Who took part? The study enrolled 166 healthy children between the ages of 5 and 9 years who needed a lower jaw dental injection at Al-Mustansiriyah University Dental College. What happened during the study? Children were randomly placed into one of the four groups. All children received the same numbing medicine (2% lidocaine with epinephrine). Dentists gave the injection at the same speed for everyone. Researchers planned to measure: How much pain the child felt (using the Wong-Baker Faces scale, where children point to a face showing their pain level) How much pain the child showed (using the FLACC scale, which looks at face, legs, activity, crying, and comfort) Heart rate and oxygen level (using a finger clip device) How well the child cooperated (using the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale) What outcomes are being measured? The primary outcomes are children's self-reported pain and observer-rated pain behavior. Secondary outcomes include physiological responses (heart rate and oxygen saturation) and behavioral cooperation scores. The study will compare changes in these measures across the four intervention groups. What is the purpose of this research? The findings from this trial are expected to provide evidence to help dentists choose the most effective comfort measures to keep children calm and pain-free during lower jaw injections. The study aims to clarify whether distraction-based methods (cooling+vibration or counterstimulation) offer advantages over simply changing the needle gauge. Were there any side effects or risks? Safety is being monitored continuously throughout the procedure via pulse oximetry (oxygen saturation) and heart rate tracking. The interventions are considered low-risk, and children who show excessive distress are withdrawn and managed according to standard care. Who paid for this study? The study received no outside funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest. Where was the study done? Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.

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.

Comparative Clinical Study Between Virtual Reality Hypnosis and Nitrous Oxide Inhalation for Dental Anxie

The vicious circle of dental anxiety impacts major aspects of a child's quality of life. Hypnosis using distraction is one of the most common non-pharmalogical techniques in behavior and pain management in pediatric dentistry. Its value over traditional pharmalogical sedation is undeniable. This clinical study examines the application of hypnosis delivered through immersive virtual reality (VR) for anxious children ongoing dental procedures. The investigators will explore whether VR is as effective on pain and anxiety relief as a pharmacological sedation with inhalation of nitrous oxide.

Effect of Preoperative Information Videos on Anxiety and Vital Signs in Impacted Third Molar Surgery

This study evaluates whether physician-guided visual information provided before impacted mandibular third molar surgery can improve hemodynamic stability during the perioperative period. Participants are assigned to one of three preoperative information methods: standard verbal information, real surgical video information, or 3D animation video information. Changes in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation are assessed at multiple perioperative time points to determine whether visual information reduces stress-related physiologic responses. The study also examines whether these information methods influence preoperative dental fear.

Comparasion of Dental Anxiety in First Time Complete Denture Patients

This quasi-experimental study compares dental anxiety levels in edentulous patients at two specific clinical points: the primary impression appointment and the denture insertion appointment. The study aims to determine if the process of receiving first-time complete dentures significantly impacts patient anxiety levels. Data will be collected from 70 participants at the Khyber College of Dentistry over a five-week interval between the two appointments

Comfort-in Needle-Free Injection System in Pediatric Dental Anesthesia

This randomized split-mouth clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of the Comfort-in needle-free injection system compared with conventional dental injection for local anesthesia during pulpotomy treatment in children. Sixty children aged 5 to 8 years who required bilateral pulpotomy of primary first molars were included. Each participant received both anesthesia techniques in separate treatment sessions with an interval of at least one week. The order of anesthesia techniques was randomized: 30 children received conventional dental injection in the first session and Comfort-in needle-free injection in the second session, while the remaining 30 children received the interventions in the reverse order. Pain perception during anesthesia administration and pulpotomy was assessed using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability scale and the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Physiological parameters, including blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation, were recorded before anesthesia, after anesthesia, and after pulpotomy. The amount of anesthetic solution used, duration of anesthetic effect, postoperative complications, and patient preference were also recorded. The study was designed to determine whether the Comfort-in needle-free injection system could provide effective local anesthesia for pediatric pulpotomy while reducing injection-related pain, physiological stress responses, anesthetic volume, duration of postoperative numbness, and postoperative complications compared with conventional dental injection.

Impact of Dental Anxiety Coping Module on Children With Dental Anxiety

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Dental Anxiety Coping Module (DACM) in children with dental anxiety. The main questions to answer are: 1. Will the Dental Anxiety Coping Module has any effect on dental anxiety in primary school children based on MY-ACDAS and HRV-Biofeedback? 2. Is there any difference in dental anxiety between control and intervention group on baseline and post-test measured with MY-ACDAS? 3. Is there any difference in dental anxiety between control and intervention group on baseline, during and post-test measured with and HRV-Biofeedback?

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.

Comparison of Needle-Free Injection and Conventional Syringe for Tooth Extractions in Children

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a needle-free injection system can make tooth extraction less stressful for children than a conventional dental syringe. The study will include healthy children 6 to 12 years old who need a primary tooth extraction with buccal and lingual local anesthesia. The main questions are whether the needle-free method can lower anxiety, lower pain, and reduce changes in vital signs compared with the conventional syringe. Researchers will randomly assign participants to 1 of 2 groups. One group will receive local anesthesia with a needle-free jet injection system. The other group will receive local anesthesia with a conventional syringe and a 27-gauge dental needle. In both groups, a topical lidocaine spray will be used before the injection, and the same anesthetic solution will be given. All tooth extractions will be performed by the same clinician using standard clinical procedures. Participants' anxiety, pain, and vital signs will be checked before the procedure, after anesthesia, and after tooth extraction. Anxiety will be measured with the Face Image Scale (FIS). Pain will be measured with the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale and the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBS). Vital signs will include systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation. No blood, saliva, or tissue samples will be collected, and no audio or video recording will be made.

Effectiveness of Aromatherapy and Digital Anesthesia in Managing Dental Anxiety and Pain in Children

The goal of this clinical study is to learn whether aromatherapy and digital anesthesia are effective in reducing dental anxiety and pain during tooth extraction in children. The study also aims to understand how these methods influence children's comfort and cooperation during treatment. The main questions this study aims to answer are: Do aromatherapy (lavender and orange essential oils) and digital anesthesia reduce dental anxiety and pain during tooth extraction in children? Are these methods more comfortable and less stressful for pediatric patients compared to traditional anesthesia techniques? Does digital anesthesia improve cooperation and ease of management during dental treatment? Researchers will compare aromatherapy and digital anesthesia with conventional anesthesia methods to determine whether these techniques make the extraction process easier and more comfortable for children. Participants will: Receive either aromatherapy, digital anesthesia, conventional anesthesia, or a combination depending on the study group Undergo tooth extraction under controlled clinical conditions Be evaluated before, during, and after treatment using standardized pain and anxiety scales Provide post-treatment feedback along with their parents regarding comfort and anxiety levels This study may help identify gentler and more child-friendly approaches to managing anxiety and pain during pediatric dental procedures.

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.

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.

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.

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