POP IT AWAY! Evaluating Pop-It Fidget Toys to Ease Dental Anxiety in 5–10 Years old

Background: Dental anxiety is frequently observed among pediatric patients and can significantly disrupt their ability to cooperate during dental procedures, potentially complicating treatment and affecting clinical outcomes. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of Pop-It fidget toys, used alone and in combination with the tell-show-do (TSD), in reducing anxiety of dental procedures in children of age 5–10 years at their first dental visit. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted with sixty children divided equally into three groups: Group 1 (TSD), Group 2 (pop-it fidget toy), and Group 3 (Pop-It fidget toy + TSD). Anxiety levels were measured at three stages before intervention, after intervention but before treatment, and after treatment using pulse rate as an objective physiological marker and the facial image scale (FIS) as a subjective behavioral assessment. Results: Groups using pop-it fidget toys (Groups 2 and 3) showed significant reductions in both pulse rate and FIS scores in comparison with the TSD only group. The combination of pop-it with TSD produced the most notable decrease in anxiety indicators. Conclusion: Pop-it fidget toys, particularly when combined with TSD, offer a simple, low-cost, and effective approach to reduce dental anxiety and enhance cooperation in pediatric dental patients.