Mobile Application Versus Tell-show-do Technique for Improved Behavior Management of Dental Anxiety in Children Aged 7-11 Years: a Multicenter Randomized Control Trial in Karachi-Pakistan

Overview

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of a mobile application versus the conventional tell-show-do (TSD) technique in reducing dental anxiety among children aged 7-11 years attending their first dental visit. The study is a multicenter randomized controlled trial conducted at tertiary care dental hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. Participants are randomly assigned to either a mobile application-based behavioral intervention or the TSD technique prior to a dental diagnostic procedure. The primary outcomes include changes in pulse rate and anxiety levels measured using the Raghavendra Madhuri Sujata Pictorial Scale (RMS-PS) before and after the intervention. The findings of this study will help determine whether mobile-based behavioral tools can improve anxiety management in pediatric dental settings.

Dental anxiety is a common barrier to effective dental care in children and may lead to avoidance of treatment and poor oral health outcomes. Conventional behavioral management techniques such as tell-show-do (TSD) are widely used; however, the increasing availability of digital tools provides an opportunity to enhance patient preparation and reduce anxiety. This study is a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial conducted at tertiary care dental hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. Children aged 7-11 years presenting for their first dental visit are enrolled and randomly allocated to either a mobile application-based behavioral intervention or the conventional TSD technique. The intervention is delivered for a standardized duration prior to a dental diagnostic procedure. The primary outcomes include changes in pulse rate and anxiety levels assessed using the Raghavendra Madhuri Sujata Pictorial Scale (RMS-PS), measured before and after the intervention. Pulse rate is recorded three times at one-minute intervals at each time point and averaged. Secondary analyses include comparison of outcomes between intervention groups. The study aims to evaluate whether a mobile application can serve as an effective alternative to traditional behavioral techniques in reducing dental anxiety among children in clinical settings.