The Effect of a Kaleidoscope and Cartoons for Dental Treatment in Children

Dental fear and anxiety are common in pediatric dentistry and can negatively affect children's cooperation and acceptance of treatment. Local anesthesia injections are a major source of pain and anxiety in children during dental procedures. While pharmacological methods may be effective in managing pain and anxiety, non-pharmacological behavioral techniques, particularly distraction methods, are increasingly used to reduce discomfort.

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of two distraction techniques-kaleidoscope use and cartoon viewing-on pain, fear, and anxiety associated with local anesthetic injections in children undergoing dental treatment. The study will be conducted at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University.

A total of 126 children aged 7-12 years who require local infiltration anesthesia will be included. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Kaleidoscope Group, Cartoon Distraction Group, or Control Group. Children in the Kaleidoscope Group will use a kaleidoscope during the injection, while children in the Cartoon Group will watch cartoons. In the Control Group, injections will be administered according to routine clinical procedures without distraction.

Pain, fear, and anxiety will be assessed using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, the Children's Fear Scale, and the Children's Anxiety Scale-State. Behavioral responses will be evaluated with the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale. Data collection will occur during the dental procedure and immediately after the injection.

This study is expected to provide evidence on the effectiveness of simple, non-pharmacological distraction techniques in reducing pain and anxiety in pediatric patients undergoing local anesthesia injections.

Inclusion criteria

• Children aged between 7 and 12 years
• Children requiring local infiltration anesthesia for dental treatment
• Children who apply to the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of Dicle University Faculty of Dentistry
• Children and their parents who voluntarily agree to participate in the study and provide informed consent
• Children with positive or definitely positive behavior according to the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale

Exclusion criteria

• Children with chronic diseases
• Children with a history of hospitalization or surgery
• Children with neurological or behavioral disorders such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or learning disabilities
• Children with mental retardation, hearing impairment, or speech problems
• Children with dental abscesses or fistulas