Effectiveness of Audiovisual Distraction Technique and Filmed Modeling on Anxiety and Fear in Pediatric Dental Patients

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of the audiovisual distraction (AVD) technique and filmed modeling (FM) on anxiety and fear in pediatric dental patients. Materials and methods: This experimental in vivo study was conducted on 80 subjects of age-groups 5–8 years coming to the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry for their first dental visit. Study subjects were subjected to noninvasive restorative treatment under AVD in group I, FM in group II, and a combination of AVD and FM in groups III and IV (control 0). To assess the level of pre and postoperative anxiety and fear, various biological parameters like pulse rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, respiratory rate, and salivary cortisol estimation along with facial image scale (FIS), and fear assessment picture scale (FAPS) were used. Results: Group III (a combination of AVD and FM) came out to be better than other experimental groups and control groups in reducing dental anxiety and fear in pediatric dental patients. Conclusion: A combination of AVD and FM techniques can be recommended to be used as an effective behavior management technique. Clinical significance: A child’s disruptive behavior due to dental anxiety causes difficulty in delivering effective dental treatment. Thus, a child’s behavior management is of paramount importance in the pediatric dental setup. Nonpharmacological behavior management techniques, that is, a combination of AVD and FM techniques can be recommended to be used as an effective behavior management technique to reduce dental anxiety and fear in pediatric dental patients.