Does Artificial Intelligence-generated Image Exposure before the Treatment Reduce Dental Anxiety in Children Aged 6–12 Years: An Observational Study

Abstract

A b s t r A c t Introduction: Children commonly feel dental anxiety, and the efficacy of treatment is contingent upon the dentist’s skill and capacity to establish a productive rapport with the patient. Aim: To evaluate the effect of anxiety before the extraction procedure by showing artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images and similar non-AI-generated images. Materials and methods: This observational study, conducted over a 2-month period, involved 30 children between 6 and 12 years of age. The children were divided into two groups, one exposed to non-AI-generated images and the other to AI-generated images, for 4 minutes in the waiting area, who required the extraction. Anxiety levels were measured before and after the image exposure using a pulse oximeter and the Raghvendra, Madhuri, and Sujata digital anxiety scale (RMS-DAS scale). Results: The pulse rate between the non-AI and AI groups was insignificant; however, RMS-DAS scores were significant (p = 0.001). Intergroup comparison between groups for pulse rate was insignificant, whereas a significant difference was noted in RMS-DAS scores (p = 0.013). Non-AI positively correlated with pulse rate after the procedure and negatively correlated with RMS-DAS after showing AI images. Conclusion: Both AI and non-AI images demonstrated efficacy in relieving dental anxiety before the dental extraction; however, artificial intelligence images exhibited more reduction in dental anxiety.