Pre-Visit Positive Imagery for Dental Anxiety

Overseen By Arusha Bhatia

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Southern California

Disqualifiers: Visual impairment, Developmental delays, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

55 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to determine whether pre-visit positive imagery has an impact in decreasing dental anxiety and fear in pediatric patients as well as increasing patient cooperation during treatment visits. Patients needing at least 1 composite filling with nitrous and local anesthetic will receive a picture book if they are selected in the experimental group, and no picture book if they are in the control group. Patients will be asked to be fill out a pre-operative survey and post-operative survey asking how they feel about treatment. Parents will also be asked to fill out a post-operative survey.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is Pre-Visit Positive Imagery safe for humans?

The research does not provide specific safety data for Pre-Visit Positive Imagery, but it generally involves viewing positive images, which is a non-invasive and low-risk activity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the treatment of pre-visit positive imagery for dental anxiety differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it uses positive imagery to help reduce dental anxiety by encouraging patients to visualize positive and reassuring aspects of dental visits before their appointment, which can help change their perception and reduce fear, unlike traditional methods that may not focus on mental imagery. ^{1 3 4 5 6}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Previsit Imagery Picturebook for dental anxiety?

Research shows that viewing positive images of dentistry before a dental appointment can help reduce anxiety in children. Studies found that children who saw positive images felt less anxious and behaved better during dental visits compared to those who saw neutral images. ^{1 3 4 5 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Arusha Bhatia

Principal Investigator

Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy children needing a dental filling, who have never had dental treatment before and will use nitrous oxide and local anesthetic. They must be able to understand English. Children with visual impairments, developmental delays that affect reading or picture interpretation, or those who refuse nitrous are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Patients that are healthy with no systemic conditions and are considered ASA I or ASA II

Patients who have never had any form of dental treatment before

I need a filling for a cavity and will require local anesthesia and laughing gas.

Exclusion Criteria

You have difficulty understanding pictures or reading at your age level.

I have a visual impairment.

Patients who are unable to read and comprehend English

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive dental treatment with or without pre-visit positive imagery

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in dental anxiety and behavior post-treatment

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Previsit Imagery Picturebook

Trial Overview The study tests if a pre-visit picture book can reduce dental anxiety in kids during treatment visits. Participants are split into two groups: one receives the picture book (experimental group), while the other does not (control group). Both groups fill out surveys about their feelings towards treatment.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Previsit Imagery Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will be given previsit imagery (picture book) before treatment visit.

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

No intervention will be given to this group. Each treatment visit will move forward as routine.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Southern California

Lead Sponsor

Trials

956

Recruited

1,609,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving 306 survey participants and 18 interviewees found that vivid sensory images related to dental experiences are common among individuals, but those with higher dental anxiety reported more distressing and fear-provoking imagery linked to negative past experiences.

Participants with lower anxiety levels tended to have more positive and reassuring imagery, suggesting that focusing on positive outcomes could help reduce dental anxiety and improve attendance at dental appointments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mental imagery in dentistry: Phenomenology and role in dental anxiety. Schneider, A., Andrade, J., Tanja-Dijkstra, K., et al.[2019]

In a study of 60 children aged 4 to 6 undergoing dental procedures, viewing positive images significantly improved overall behavior during treatment compared to neutral images, as measured by the Frankl rating scale.

Despite the behavioral improvements, neither positive nor neutral images affected the children's anticipatory anxiety levels before or after the dental procedures, indicating that while imagery can help with behavior, it may not reduce anxiety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison between Positive Dental Images and Neutral Images in Managing Anticipatory Anxiety of Children. Kamel, DO., Wahba, NA., Talaat, DM.[2017]

A study involving 60 children aged 7 to 12 showed that viewing positive images of dentistry significantly reduced anticipatory dental anxiety compared to viewing neutral images, as measured by Venham's picture test.

The results indicate that using positive imagery in dental settings can be an effective strategy to help alleviate anxiety in young patients before treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Exposure to Positive Images of Dentistry on Dental Anxiety among 7 to 12 Years Old Children. Gangwal, RR., Rameshchandra Badjatia, S., Harish Dave, B.[2020]

A study involving 38 children showed that viewing positive images of dentistry before a dental appointment significantly reduced anticipatory dental anxiety compared to viewing neutral images, with a notable difference in anxiety levels (P < 0.001).

The reduction in anxiety was consistent across different ages and genders, indicating that this intervention could be a safe and effective strategy to help children feel more comfortable before dental treatments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A controlled trial of the impact of exposure to positive images of dentistry on anticipatory dental fear in children. Fox, C., Newton, JT.[2015]

A study involving 40 children aged 4-8 years showed that using a digitalized previsit imagery technique significantly reduced anticipatory dental anxiety compared to traditional communication methods (p<0.001).

The digitalized approach, which included a customized cartoon video and the dentist's voice, proved to be an effective and time-saving strategy for managing anxiety in children before dental visits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Digitalized Previsit Imagery on Behavior of Children in the Dental Operatory. Reddy, RE., Merum, K., Mudusu, SP., et al.[2023]

A study involving 64 patients showed that watching a tooth extraction video significantly reduced dental fear and anxiety compared to just receiving verbal information before the procedure.

Patients who viewed the video reported greater comfort and lower anxiety levels after the extraction, indicating that visual information can be an effective tool for managing dental distress.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized control trial comparing the visual and verbal communication methods for reducing fear and anxiety during tooth extraction. Gazal, G., Tola, AW., Fareed, WM., et al.[2020]

In a study of 1303 French children aged 5-11, 75.7% reported low dental fear, indicating that most children are not overly anxious about dental visits.

Prior dental experiences significantly influenced dental fear levels; children with previous visits reported lower anxiety, while those with decayed teeth had higher fear levels, suggesting that early exposure to dental care can help reduce anxiety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors affecting dental fear in French children aged 5-12 years. Nicolas, E., Bessadet, M., Collado, V., et al.[2022]

Citations

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mental imagery in dentistry: Phenomenology and role in dental anxiety. [2019]

2. Singapore pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison between Positive Dental Images and Neutral Images in Managing Anticipatory Anxiety of Children. [2017]

3. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Exposure to Positive Images of Dentistry on Dental Anxiety among 7 to 12 Years Old Children. [2020]

4. Denmark pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A controlled trial of the impact of exposure to positive images of dentistry on anticipatory dental fear in children. [2015]

5. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Digitalized Previsit Imagery on Behavior of Children in the Dental Operatory. [2023]

6. Saudi Arabia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized control trial comparing the visual and verbal communication methods for reducing fear and anxiety during tooth extraction. [2020]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Factors affecting dental fear in French children aged 5-12 years. [2022]