Assessment of the Impact of Colors on Child’s Anxiety and Treatment Preference for Local Anesthesia Injections

Abstract

Aim: To assess the impact of colors on child’s anxiety and treatment preference for local anesthesia injections. Material and Method: The study group consisted of 100 randomly selected children aged 9 years. A specially prepared proforma was used to record personal information and history. Anxiety was assessed using faces version of the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale and children were categorized as anxious and non-anxious in the playroom. In the dental operatory, dental injectors (conventional plastic injector and six different colored plastic injectors) were displayed on a tray and were introduced to the children. The children were asked to consider which injectors they would prefer “if their tooth had to be put to sleep,” and their preferences were noted starting with their first choice. Sheets with stylized cartoon drawing of faces (modified Venham Picture Test) with six different emotions (happy, scared, crying, sad, angry, and running away) opposite line drawings of colored dental injectors were distributed. All the children were asked to match the cartoon faces with the injectors as per their preference. The data was collected and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 19.0. Results: A response analysis was performed in Microsoft excel, and frequencies were noted for color preferences in males and females. Significant differences between genders as well as different colors association was found. Conclusion: Reducing child’s anxiety through remodeling of physical appearance and color of dental instruments could be a potential modality of behavior management that needs further research.