Impact of Combined Sensory and Auditory Distraction Using Eye Massager and Colored Noise on Pediatric Dental Anxiety During Extractions

AbstractBackground - Innovative non-pharmacological anxiety management systems in pediatric dentistry enhance the comfort and cooperation of young patients during dental procedures. These advancements focus on optimising distraction methods for better efficacy and reduced physiological stress.Aim - To compare and evaluate the impact of combined sensory and auditory distraction using an eye massager and colored noise on pediatric dental anxiety during extractions.Methods - An in vivo study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of different distraction methods. Forty children aged 8-12 years, with Frankl Behaviour rating scale scores of 2 and 3, who required primary tooth extractions, were selected and equally divided into 4 groups (n=10 per group). Group A served as the Control group, Group B received Eye Massager, Group C received the Eye Massager with Pink Noise, and Group D received the Eye Massager with White Noise. Anxiety levels were assessed using Venham’s Picture Test, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and pulse oximetry before and after local anaesthesia administration.Results - The combination of eye massager with pink noise achieved significant anxiety reduction and higher patient relaxation compared to other groups. The eye massager with pink noise group demonstrated superior efficacy in lowering pulse rates and anxiety scores in pediatric dental patients.Conclusion - The study demonstrated that the combination of an eye massager with pink noise is an effective and non-invasive method that could be a practical tool for anxiety management in clinical settings, providing a convenient alternative to traditional methods.