Comparison of Children's Preferences for Dental Injectors and Their Impact on Cooperation During Local Anesthesia...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Psychology

Background:

• Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) are prevalent in children, impacting cooperation during dental procedures.
• Local anesthesia (LA) administration is a common source of anxiety for pediatric patients.
• The appearance of dental instruments can significantly contribute to children's fear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess children's cooperation levels during dental procedures.
• To evaluate the impact of different dental injector types on children's behavior.
• To determine if injector design preferences correlate with improved cooperation.

Main Methods:

• 150 children were randomly assigned to two groups.
• Group A: Choice between plain plastic or metal injector.
• Group B: Choice between plastic injector with stickers or metal injector.
• Children's preferences and behavior (Frankl scale) during LA administration were recorded.

Main Results:

• A majority of children preferred plastic injectors, especially those with stickers (82.7% in Group B).
• Children preferring plastic injectors, particularly with stickers, demonstrated significantly more positive behavior.
• Positive behavior was notably higher in younger children (4-6 and 7-10 years) with sticker-adorned plastic injectors.

Conclusions:

• Plastic dental injectors with stickers significantly enhance comfort and cooperation in children during dental procedures.
• Age-specific injector designs may be beneficial, with younger children favoring stickers and older children preferring plain plastic.
• Addressing children's aesthetic preferences can reduce dental anxiety and improve procedural outcomes.