Comparative evaluation of anxiety levels among adult patients undergoing dental treatment in pediatric and conventional operatory: a randomised clinical trial

Poorva  Kulkarni; Shivayogi M. Hugar; Bhuvanesh N. Bhusari; Anjana  Bagewadi; Samruddhi  Desai; Shweta Hugar

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243308

Authors

Poorva Kulkarni Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, KAHER KLE’s VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1653-8517
Shivayogi M. Hugar Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, KAHER KLE’s VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3657-6709
Bhuvanesh N. Bhusari Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, KAHER KLE’s VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6619-3090
Anjana Bagewadi Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, KAHER KLE’s VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7602-3493
Samruddhi Desai Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, KAHER KLE’s VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India
Shweta Hugar Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, KAHER KLE’s VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1124-4388

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20243308

Keywords:

Anxiety reduction, Clinical trial, Dental anxiety, Distraction techniques, Operatory environment, Patient comfort

Abstract

Background: Individuals of all ages often experience anxiety before undergoing dental procedures. Therefore, it's crucial for dentists to create a calming operatory environment with distraction techniques to help alleviate adult patient anxiety. This clinical trial evaluated adult patient anxiety in both conventional and pediatric operatory rooms.

Methods: This prospective split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial was 11 conducted between November 2023 and April 2024. Twenty-four adult patients (13 females and 11 12 males) with a mean age of 37±4.53 years participated in this study. Each participant (n=24) received 13 both conventional and pediatric operatory. Pre- and post-operative pulse rates and anxiety scores 14 were measured using a pulse oximeter and modified Corah’s dental anxiety scale, respectively, in both 15 operatory rooms.

Results: The study found a statistically significant decrease in both pulse rate and anxiety scores post-operatively in both operatory settings (p<0.05). However, the reduction in anxiety was more pronounced in the pediatric operatory compared to the conventional operatory (p=0.0433). Participants reported greater comfort and reduced anxiety in the pediatric setting, with 83% favoring its vibrant ambiance and 87% feeling less anxious after treatment in this environment.

Conclusions: The vibrant environment of a pediatric dentistry operatory, featuring colorful walls, television, music, and other engaging elements can serve as a more effective for reducing anxiety compared to the plain and monotonous ambiance of the operatory.

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