Video-Enhanced Tell-Show-Do for Managing Dental Anxiety in Children

Reinforcing the Tell-Show-Do Technique With a Simulated Real-mouth Video to Manage Dental Anxiety in Children During Dental Treatment (A Randomized Controlled Trial)

This study is the first of its kind to examine the effect of integrating the real oral environment with a video that supports the expressions used during the Tell-Show-Do technique (such as "we will see the cavity," "the cavity will drink juice to fall asleep," and "we will clean the tooth from the cavity"). This approach aims to enhance the Tell-Show-Do technique, build trust with the child, and reduce anxiety at the different stages of dental treatment in the clinical setting.

Dental fear and anxiety in children are associated with several visual stimuli, such as the shape of the dental handpiece or saliva ejector, as well as painful procedures like local anaesthesia, which may create a barrier to receiving dental treatment. Many studies have explored various behaviour management techniques to reduce anxiety during treatment; however, few have investigated the effect of using a video simulation of the real oral environment to familiarise children with treatment steps and reinforce the phrases commonly used by the dentist. This study was designed to reassure children by using a video that demonstrates carious lesions and dental instruments, including the mirror, saliva ejector, handpiece, and syringe, and shows how they work inside the mouth in a child-friendly manner.

This research is a randomised controlled clinical trial in which participants were assigned to two groups based on the behaviour management technique used. Anxiety was assessed using three integrated measures: a self-reported anxiety scale, an observer-rated behaviour scale, and physiological indicators including oxygen saturation and heart rate. All measures were recorded before, during, and after treatment to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the intervention's effect on children's anxiety levels.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Children aged 4-6 years, with or without previous dental experience.
2. Children with a positive behavior rating according to the Frankl scale.
3. Children with primary molars requiring conservative dental treatment.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Children with systemic or mental disorders.
2. Children who received sedative or analgesic medications within the 3 hours prior to the dental visit.