Kaleidoscope and Tell-Show-Play-Doh in Reducing Dental Anxiety for Children Undergoing Pulpotomy in Primary Molars - A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of Kaleidoscope glasses and Tell-Show-Play-Doh technique to reduce dental anxiety for children undergoing pulpotomy in primary molars. Material and Method: 66 children required pulpotomy in primary molars aged 4 to 6 years with no previous dental vist were selected from the Pediatric dental clinic, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University. All children were allocated randomly into three groups (22 children each); group I (Tell-Show-Do), groups II and III (Tell-Show-Play-Doh and Kaleidoscope glasses). Assessment of child's behavior was done at arrival of the child and at the end of the visit using Frankl behavior rating scale and during injection of local anesthesia & pulpotomy procedure by FLACC scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability). The level of dental anxiety of each child was assessed by measuring heart rate before and after behavior management and at the end of the visit. All readings and scores were recorded and results were tabulated and statistically analyzed.Results: Regarding behavior, compared to Tell-Show-Do group a statistically significant improvement in behavior of Frankl behavior rating scale scores between before and after the dental procedure and during local anesthesia & pulpotomy procedure of FLACC scores among Tell-Show-Play-doh and Kaleidoscope glasses groups. Regarding anxiety, a significant reduction was found in heart rate measures among Tell-Show-Play-Doh and Kaleidoscope glasses groups. The least reduction of the level of the anxiety was found in Tell-Show-Do group. Conclusion: Both Tell-Show-Play-Doh and Kaleidoscope glasses techniques could be a viable alternative to reduce dental anxiety in children undergoing pulpotomy treatment.