192 - Weighted stuffed animals and anxiety in children undergoing dental treatment

"Weighted stuffed animals and anxiety in children undergoing dental treatment."

Participant (s):
Hussain Alfailkawi, BDS/MchD – Pediatric dental resident, Tufts University of Dental Medicine

Co – Author (s):
Cheen Loo, B. D. S. , Ph. D. , M. P. H. , D. M. D. , FAAPD – Professor, Chair of pediatric departmnet, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Gerald Swee, D.M.D., M.S – Faculty at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine
Miranda Boynton, DMD – Pediatric dentist


Purpose:
The aim of the is to evaluate the effectiveness of weighted stuffed animals in reducing dental anxiety among anxious pediatric patients during restorative dental treatment.


Methods:
In a randomized clinical controlled experiment, The study will include pediatric dental patients ages 4-14 years who are already scheduled to come to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine pediatric department with their parent or guardian to undergo a composite filling or stainless steel crown procedure with administration of local anesthesia under nitrous oxide sedation for dental anxiety purposes. Subject will then be randomly assigned to control or experimental group. If subject is assigned to the experimental group a Harkla Weighted Lap Animal (5lbs) will be placed on the subject’s lap, if the subject is assigned to the control group, no weighted stuffed animal will be placed, and routine procedure will continue. The procedure will be done by pediatric dental residents. Self-survey completion by patient will occur on paper after their procedure. The FRANKL score will also be recorded.


Results:

• N = 77
• There is a statistically significant difference in median Frankl score between groups (p < 0.001) . The median Frankl score noted by the providers in the control group was 3 while in the study group was 4.
• The control group had an increased anxiety level in comparison to the study group. There is a statistically significant difference in median self-survey score between the two groups (p = 0.02).
• There is not a statistically significant association between gender and group (p = 0.63) and no difference in median age between groups (p = 0.85).



Conclusion:
The results of the study demonstrated that the weighted stuffed animals reduced anxiety levels and improved observed behavior in pediatric patients with dental anxiety during dental restorative treatment with nitrous oxide.