Pre-Visit Positive Imagery in Reducing Dental Anxiety

Last updated: July 10, 2025
Sponsor: University of Southern California
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Panic Disorders

Anxiety Disorders

Mood Disorders

Treatment

Previsit Imagery Picturebook

Clinical Study ID

NCT06058533
HS-23-00464
  • Ages 4-10
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether pre-visit positive imagery has an impact in decreasing dental anxiety and fear in pediatric patients as well as increasing patient cooperation during treatment visits. Patients needing at least 1 composite filling with nitrous and local anesthetic will receive a picture book if they are selected in the experimental group, and no picture book if they are in the control group. Patients will be asked to be fill out a pre-operative survey and post-operative survey asking how they feel about treatment. Parents will also be asked to fill out a post-operative survey.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients that are healthy with no systemic conditions and are considered ASA I orASA II

  • Patients who have never had any form of dental treatment before.

  • Patients who need at least 1 filling to be restored with composite due to caries andwill need local anesthetic and nitrous oxide inhalation.

  • English speaking patients

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with a visual impairment

  • Patients with developmental delays that are unable to read or interpret pictures fortheir age-level.

  • Patients whose treatment changes to something other than composite

  • Patients who refuse to wear nitrous hood.

  • Patients who are unable to read and comprehend English.

Study Design

Total Participants: 55
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Previsit Imagery Picturebook
Phase:
Study Start date:
October 15, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
June 30, 2025

Study Description

This study is a prospective randomized control trial. The study will be conducted at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Pediatric Dental Clinic and Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County clinic. Established patients of record that are 4-10 years old who meet the inclusion criteria will qualify.

Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups by flipping a coin and having pre-assigned envelopes in numeric order for each participant. The envelopes will be made ahead of time with heads representing Group 1 and tails representing Group 2. The envelopes will then be numbered and stored in a folder; once a participant consents to enroll in the study, the envelope will be drawn in numeric order determining the participants group number to ensure it is randomized, Group 1 will include patients receiving positive pre-visit imagery. Group 2 will be the control group and will not receive any form of positive pre-visit imagery. The positive pre-visit imagery group 1 will receive a picture book explaining their dental treatment appointment with pictures and some words. The picture book will be a hard copy and will be shown to them by a faculty advisor at USC and by the PI at Healthy Smiles for Kids. The patient's behavior will initially be assessed at their new patient or recall appointment based off the Frankl behavior scale. At the end of the treatment visit, patient behavior will be measured by the dental provider using the Frankl behavior scale. The dentists rating the behavior will be calibrated to ensure there is consistency in the Frankl scale rating and criteria for each score.

Patients will also be asked to fill out a pre- and post-survey that allows them to express their level of dental fear and anxiety before and after the appointment using the Venham Picture Test. The total time commitment will be about 20 minutes and will be a part of their normal dental visit, no additional time is needed. Parents/caregivers will also be given a post-operative survey asking whether they felt the pre-visit positive imagery helped improve patient's behavior.

Connect with a study center

  • Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

    Los Angeles, California 90089
    United States

    Site Not Available

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