The effectiveness of an interactive toy as an active distraction in alleviating dental anxiety and pain while administration of local anesthesia in children - a randomized clinical trial.

Effective paincontrol during dental treatment of a paediatric patient is the cornerstone forsuccessful behaviour guidance. Researchers have found that one of   the most provocation aspects of child behaviourmanagement is poor pain control. Avariety of behavioural management techniques has emerged to manage dental fearincluding pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Previousstudies have stated that use of distraction during dental treatment is usefulto patients by reducing their distress and in turn decrease their perception ofpain sensation especially during injections with local anesthesia. Previousstudies have stated that use of distraction during dental treatment is usefulto patients by reducing their distress and in turn decrease their perception ofpain sensation especially during injections with local anesthesia. Active forms ofdistraction promote a child’s participation involving several sensorycomponents such as interactive toys, virtual reality, controlled breathing,guided imagery and relaxation; conversely, passive forms achieve distractionthrough a child’s observation of an activity or stimulus rather than theirexplicit partaking for example listening to music, watching television.

Aim : The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of an interactive toy as a distraction technique in reducing the dental anxiety and pain while administration of local anesthesia in children aged 4-9 years.

Objectives : To assess the effect of an Interactivetoy as an active distraction in reducing dental anxiety and pain whileadministration of local anesthesia.

·                        To assess the effect of a colourfulheadset with music as a passive distraction in reducing dental anxiety and painwhile administration of local anesthesia.

·                        Tocompare the effectiveness of an Interactive toy and Colorful headset with musicwhile administration of local anesthesia.

Methodology : The presentstudy will be a randomized clinical trial using block randomisation and areequally allocated into 1:1 ratio.

Childrenaged 4-9 years will be included in the study and they will be divided into twogroups.

Group 1: Children will be given interactivetoy as an active distraction.

Group 2: Children will be given colourfulheadset with music as a passive distraction.

The reactionof children during local anesthesia administration (Infiltration) will berecorded in terms of anxiety (Modified Venham Picture scale and pulse rate),and pain                       perception (Modified Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale and the Faces,Leg, Activity, Cry and Consolability scale).