Conventional and camouflage syringe during maxillary dental procedures: Relevance to anxiety and pain levels in children

Abstract

To compare the effects of conventional and camouflage syringe in reducing anxiety and pain levels during maxillary dental procedures in paediatric patients. Children between 4 and 14 years who attended Dental Clinic, MAHSA University, Malaysia and required local anesthesia, were randomly selected for the present study with due consent from the parents/ guardian. The materials needed for local anaesthesia were laid out in view and anxiety levels were assessed using Venham's picture test. The procedure of local anesthesia was then carried out for both conventional and camouflaged groups. Pain assessment was performed following the infiltration technique using the Wong-Baker Faces pain scale. The anxiety levels following the infiltration were re-recorded using the Venham's picture test. Camouflaged group showed a significantly lower anxiety level as compared to conventional group both before and after infiltration. A moderate positive correlation (r=0.659; p=0.014) was observed between anxiety level after infiltration and perceived pain in conventional group, but the camouflaged group did not show any significant association between anxiety level after infiltration and perceived pain. Direct sight of the conventional syringe had increased anxiety levels and in turn incerased the pain perception levels. Thus, it can be suggested that in pediatric patients and/or patients with injection phobia camouflaged syringe is a good alternative.