Effectiveness of Active Distraction Tools in Reducing Anxiety and Pain Perception in Preschool Children During Dental Procedures

Background: Dental anxiety is a common barrier to effective pediatric dental care, particularly in children aged 3?5 years, who often struggle with fear and cooperation due to developmental limitations. Active distraction techniques have shown promise in improving the dental experience by redirecting attention away from fear-inducing stimuli. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of thumb light and talking back cactus toy as active distraction techniques in reducing dental anxiety and pain perception in young children during local anesthetic procedures. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical study was conducted on 24 children aged 3-5 years, divided into three groups: Thumb Light (Group A), Talking Back Cactus (Group B), and Control (Group C). Anxiety was assessed using the Facial Anxiety Scale and physiological changes were monitored via pulse oximeter. RESULTS: Both intervention groups showed significant reductions in pulse rate post-intervention (Thumb Light: 138.13 to 120.75 bpm, p = 0.002; Talking Back: 137.00 to 119.50 bpm, p < 0.001), indicating reduced anxiety levels. No significant differences were found between the intervention groups. Anxiety scores did not differ significantly among groups, suggesting a more prominent physiological rather than behavioral impact. Conclusion: Thumb Light and Talking Back Cactus are effective, non-pharmacological tools for reducing physiological anxiety during pediatric dental procedures. These child friendly, active distraction techniques can enhance patient cooperation and comfort, and may be valuable adjuncts in pediatric dental practice.