Efficacy of laser acupuncture for dental anxiety and its association with salivary alpha amylase levels in children- A Randomized Control Trial.

Dental fear and anxiety can result in avoidance of treatment, leading to a significantly stressful experience for the child. Dental anxiety assessment can be done by various methods, like objective (blood pressure, heart rate using pulse oximeter, salivary biomarkers) and subjective strategies (anxiety rating scales). They are the Venham Picture Test, Facial Image Scale, Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale, Children Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. Dental anxiety can be managed by various methods including relaxation, acupressure, distraction, behavioural techniques, acupuncture and laser acupuncture. Laser acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment that uses a low intensity laser beam to stimulate acupuncture points instead of a needle. Various anti-anxiety points which are tried & tested are Shen men point, relaxation point, extra-one point, union valley point, shoulder well point, great surge point, Nei guan point. This study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of laser acupuncture for dental anxiety management during various treatment procedures in children of age 6 to 12 yrs. Children from OPD in the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry will be screened. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 42 children aged 6-12 years will be recruited into the study. The children will be allocated into 2 groups- Group-1: Sham laser acupuncture & Group-2: laser acupuncture. Pre & post operatively heart rate will be assessed with pulse oximeter, dental anxiety will be assessed using modified child dental anxiety scale (8-12 yrs), facial image scale (6-8 yrs).  With patient in upright position, Salivary samples are collected using drooling method and subjected to ELISA for estimation of salivary alpha amylase levels pre & post operatively. Acupoints will be located and marked followed by laser stimulation of acupoints.