Background: A child's first dental experience plays a crucial role in treatment success and in fostering cooperation during future visits. In pediatric dentistry, various non-pharmacological approaches have been implemented to prepare children for dental procedures. This study aims to evaluate the effects of two such approaches-therapeutic play and virtual reality glasses-designed to familiarize children with dental instruments, on pain perception and dental anxiety. Methods: A total of 66 healthy children aged 6-9 years attending their first dental visit at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of Ataturk University will be included. Participants will be randomly assigned into three groups: one group will receive therapeutic play before local anesthesia; the second group will use virtual reality glasses before local anesthesia; and the control group will receive local anesthesia without any preparatory intervention. Dental anxiety and pain will be assessed using the Modified Children's Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS), the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBS), and the FLACC scale. Physiological parameters including heart rate and oxygen saturation will be recorded before and after anesthesia.
Children often experience dental anxiety during their first dental visit, particularly before local anesthesia. Non-pharmacological approaches such as therapeutic play and virtual reality distraction may help reduce anxiety and pain perception. This randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of therapeutic play and virtual reality glasses with routine care in reducing dental anxiety and pain in children aged 6-9 years. Anxiety was assessed using the Modified Children's Dental Anxiety Scale, pain was evaluated using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and FLACC scale, and physiological parameters were recorded.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
66
Therapeutic play intervention before local anesthesia
Use of virtual reality glasses before local anesthesia
Routine local anesthesia without preparatory intervention
Ataturk University Faculty of Dentistry, Erzurum, Turkey
Erzurum, Türkiye, Turkey (Türkiye)
Dental anxiety score measured by the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS)
Dental anxiety assessed using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS), a validated questionnaire consisting of 8 items. Total scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating higher dental anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention), Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection
Pain score measured by the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
Pain intensity assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate more severe pain.
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention), Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection
Pain score measured by the FLACC scale
Pain intensity assessed using the FLACC scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability), with scores ranging from 0 to 10, where higher scores indicate more severe pain.
Time frame: Baseline (before intervention), Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection
Heart Rate (beats per minute)
Heart rate measured using a pulse oximeter
Time frame: Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection
Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
Oxygen saturation (SpO₂, %) measured using a pulse oximeter.
Time frame: Pre-anesthesia (before local anesthesia), Immediately after local anesthesia injection
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