Dental anxiety and pain associated with local anesthetic injections are among the most common barriers to successful dental treatment in children. Topical anesthetic agents are widely used to reduce discomfort during needle insertion; however, evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of different formulations remains limited. This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the effects of four routinely used topical anesthetic applications (benzocaine spray, benzocaine gel, lidocaine spray, and lidocaine gel) on pain and anxiety during local infiltration anesthesia in pediatric dental patients. The study will include 160 healthy children aged 6-8 years who require maxillary infiltration anesthesia for routine dental treatment. The choice of topical anesthetic will be determined by the treating clinician as part of routine clinical practice, and no additional intervention or treatment modification will be performed for research purposes. Dental anxiety will be assessed using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-faces version (MCDASf), behavioral responses during local anesthetic administration will be evaluated using the Sound, Eye, and Motor (SEM) scale, and self-reported pain will be measured using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Physiological parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and body temperature, will be recorded before, during, and after local anesthetic administration. The findings are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of commonly used topical anesthetic formulations in reducing pain and anxiety during pediatric dental treatment and may contribute to optimizing behavior management strategies in clinical practice.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
160
Dental Anxiety Score (MCDASf)
Dental anxiety will be assessed using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-faces version (MCDASf). Scores range from 8 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater dental anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline (T0) and immediately after local anesthetic administration (T2)
Pain During Local Anesthetic Administration
Pain perception will be assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale. Scores range from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable).
Time frame: Immediately after local anesthetic administration (T2)
Behavioral Response During Local Anesthetic Administration
Behavioral responses will be evaluated using the Sound, Eye, and Motor (SEM) scale during local anesthetic administration. Higher scores indicate greater pain- and anxiety-related behavioral responses.
Time frame: During local anesthetic administration (T1)
Heart Rate
Heart rate will be measured to evaluate the physiological response associated with local anesthetic administration.
Time frame: Baseline (T0), during local anesthetic administration (T1), and immediately after local anesthetic administration (T2)
Blood Pressure
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be recorded to assess physiological changes associated with local anesthetic administration.
Time frame: Baseline (T0), during local anesthetic administration (T1), and immediately after local anesthetic administration (T2)
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
Peripheral oxygen saturation will be measured using pulse oximetry to monitor physiological status during the procedure.
Time frame: Baseline (T0), during local anesthetic administration (T1), and immediately after local anesthetic administration (T2)
Body Temperature
Body temperature will be recorded before, during, and after local anesthetic administration to evaluate physiological changes during treatment.
Time frame: Baseline (T0), during local anesthetic administration (T1), and immediately after local anesthetic administration (T2)
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