A Clinical Comparative Study between Conventional and Camouflaged Syringes to evaluate Behaviour and Anxiety in Children during Local Anesthesia Administration, A Novel Approach: An In-vivo Study

Background Dental anxiety in children primarily triggered by the anticipation of pain often discourages them from seeking necessary dental treatment.Aim This study compares the effectiveness of camouflaged metal cartridge syringes and conventional disposable 2 mL syringes with insulin syringes in delivering nerve block anesthesia among children aged 6 to 10 years.Method This randomized crossover clinical trial included 20 pediatric patients aged 6-11 years from the outpatient ward of the Department of Paediatrics and Preventive Dentistry. Each patient required treatment in two quadrants of the same jaw and underwent two clinical sessions. Local anesthesia was administered using either a conventional 2 mL disposable syringe and an insulin syringe or a camouflaged metal cartridge syringe. Pain perception and anxiety levels were assessed using the FLACC behavior pain scale pulse rate monitoring and the Wong-Baker Faces Rating Scale FRS. Patient preferences were recorded and behavioral assessment was conducted using the Wright et al. 1991 scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Version 22.0.Results Findings reveal a significant reduction in pain perception and anxiety levels in children receiving injections via camouflaged syringes. Additionally physiological responses such as pulse rate measurements post-procedure were notably lower in the camouflaged syringe group highlighting decreased anxiety. Patient preferences strongly leaned towards camouflaged syringes reinforcing the need to prioritize patient comfort.Conclusion These results suggest that integrating camouflaged syringes into a pediatric dental practice can enhance patient cooperation alleviate fear and encourage consistent dental visits ultimately improving oral health outcomes.