Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Use of the Operant Orofacial Pain Assessment Device (OPAD) to Measure Changes in Nociceptive Behavior
Published on: June 10, 2013
The influence of a structured telephone call on orthodontic pain and anxiety
Brian W Bartlett1, Allen R Firestone, Katherine W L Vig
1Section of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43218-2357, USA.
Introduction:
This purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a structured telephone call after orthodontic appliance placement on self-reported pain and anxiety.
Methods:
One hundred-fifty orthodontic patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups and matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. The subjects completed baseline questionnaires to assess their levels of pain (on a 100-mm visual analog scale) and anxiety (Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) before orthodontic treatment. After the initial archwires were placed, all subjects completed the pain questionnaire and state-anxiety inventory at the same time daily for 1 week. One group also received a structured telephone call demonstrating care and reassurance; the second group received an attention-only telephone call, thanking them for participating in the study; the third group served as a control.
Results:
Although both telephone groups reported significantly less pain (P = .005) and state-anxiety (P = .033) than the control group, there was no difference between the 2 telephone groups (P > .12 for pain; P > .81 for state-anxiety).
Conclusions:
A telephone call from a health-care provider reduced patients' self-reported pain and anxiety; the content of the telephone call was not important.