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Patient Management

348 - The Effectiveness of Pre-Visit Positive Imagery in Reducing Dental Anxiety

Saturday, May 24, 2025
1:15 PM - 1:30 PM MDT
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Najwa Howard, DDS

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    University of Southern California
    USC
    Temecula, California, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • Catherine M. Pham, DDS, MPH

    Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry
    University of Southern California
    Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
    Los Angeles, California, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • AA

    Alexander Alcaraz, DMD

    Program Director
    Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
    Los Angeles, California, United States

Abstract:

The Effectiveness of Pre-Visit Positive Imagery in Reducing Dental Anxiety





Purpose:  This prospective randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate whether pre-visit positive imagery decreases dental anxiety and fear in pediatric patients and improves cooperation during treatment.





Methods:  Children aged 4-10 years with no prior dental treatment, requiring at least one composite restoration with local anesthetic and nitrous oxide, will be enrolled. Participants will be randomized into two groups. The experimental group will receive a pre-visit positive imagery book to familiarize them with the dental procedure and reduce anxiety. The control group will not receive any pre-visit intervention. Dental anxiety will be assessed before and after treatment using the Venham Picture Test. Cooperation will be evaluated during the initial visit and treatment using the Frankl Behavior Scale. Secondary measures include parental anxiety, assessed by the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale.





Results:  Data collection is pending with current total of 54 subjects.





Conclusion: Descriptive statistics will be performed on the collected data.


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