Pain-related behaviour in children: a randomised study during two sequential dental visits

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Pain and Distress Management
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Dental anxiety is a significant concern in pediatric dentistry.
• Understanding children's behavioral responses to dental procedures is crucial for effective treatment.
• Computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery systems aim to improve patient comfort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare pain and distress behaviors in children between two consecutive dental visits.
• To investigate the influence of dental anxiety on these behavioral differences.
• To evaluate two computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery systems: the Wand® and Sleeper One®.

Main Methods:

• A randomized prospective study involving 112 healthy children across three pediatric dental practices.
• Children were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either the Wand® or Sleeper One® during two sequential visits.
• Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 17 with a significance level of p < 0.01.

Main Results:

• Children displayed significantly increased muscle tension during the second dental treatment session.
• Verbal protest and crying/screaming were notably higher in the second treatment compared to the first.
• These behavioral changes suggest a conditioning effect from sequential dental experiences.

Conclusions:

• Sequential dental treatments can have a conditioning effect on children's behavior.
• Assessing and understanding a child's level of dental anxiety is vital.
• Treatment sequences should be adapted to individual children's needs to mitigate distress.