Feasibility of Tell-Play-Do Intervention in Outreach Programs: A Group-based Behavior Management Approach for Anxiety...

Effective behavior management is essential in pediatric dentistry to reduce dental anxiety and ensure successful treatment outcomes. Negative dental experiences in childhood can lead to long-term aversion to dental care, negatively impacting oral health. In school dental outreach programs, the shift from one-on-one clinical care to group-based environments presents unique challenges for pediatric dentists, as peer influence and group dynamics can affect children's behavior and anxiety levels. Despite the need for specialized behavior management techniques tailored to these settings, research on their application and effectiveness in pediatric dentistry is limited. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of the "Tell-Play-Do" (TPD) technique as a behavior management tool for improving cooperation and reducing dental anxiety in children during school-based dental outreach programs.

Employing cluster randomization, 130 children aged 6-10 years were assigned to either the study group (TPD) or the control group [Tell-Show-Do (TSD)], with 65 participants in each group. Each child underwent a single appointment for oral prophylaxis and simple class I cavity restorations using glass ionomer cement. Anxiety levels were measured at three points-preintervention, postintervention, and posttreatment using pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR), Venham's Picture Test (VPT), and Frankl's Behavioral Rating Scale.

Both intervention groups demonstrated reductions in anxiety through qualitative and quantitative measures. However, the TPD technique resulted in a more significant decrease in anxiety levels, with 60% of children showing notably positive behavior compared to 33% in the TSD group.

The TPD technique proved to be more effective in reducing anxiety and enhancing comfort during dental treatments compared to the TSD method in school outreach settings. This highlights the importance of integrating social and behavior management strategies to address the unique challenges of group-based dental care environments.

Naik V, Nayak PP, Bhatia K, et al. Feasibility of Tell-Play-Do Intervention in Outreach Programs: A Group-based Behavior Management Approach for Anxiety Reduction. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(6):688-694.