Video modelling and dental anxiety in children. A randomised clinical trial.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of video modelling on the reduction of dental anxiety (DA) in children receiving fissure sealants. A parallel double-blind randomised clinical trial (RCT) was conducted between February and August 2017 in a hospital in Madinah (Saudi Arabia). A statistically calculated sample size (n=48) of children (6-10) years old was randomly assigned to either a modelling or a control video group. Before and after watching the relevant video, DA was assessed by means of the Abeer Children Dental Anxiety Scale (ACDAS). There was a significant difference in dental anxiety scores between the modelling and the control groups after watching the videos, P<0.001. Children aged 7-8 years reported the highest dental anxiety scores. There was no significant difference between the results of DA that were reported by the child on ACDAS at the time of dental examination with a mirror, and expected behaviours of the children that were reported by their mothers before the start of the dental treatment, P=0.33. Video modelling seems to be an effective method to reduce dental anxiety in children receiving fissure sealants. The mother's expectation of her child's behaviour appears to be a good indicator of the child's actual behaviour at the dentist.