Efficacy trial of Camouflage Syringe to reduce dental fear and anxiety

Authors:

ABSTRACT

Aim

Dental fear and anxiety in early childhood are widely prevalent and contribute to dental problems and behaviour in
adulthood. Novel ways to reduce dental fear and anxiety in children are needed. Our aim was to conduct an efficacy trial of a novel
Camouflage Syringe to reduce dental fear and anxiety in children.

Methods

Study Design: randomised controlled
trial of efficacy of the Camouflage Syringe. We designed a Camouflage Syringe with a toy-like appearance that veils the conventional
syringe to permit topical application and injection of local anaesthesia and ensure more involvement of the patient in the treatment
process. We conducted a concurrent parallel, randomised controlled trial (NCT01398007) on the efficacy of this Camouflage Syringe to
reduce the dental fear and anxiety in children seeking dental treatment who required the use of local anaesthesia.

Results

Using
Venham's clinical rating scale, Venham's picture test, parental stress questionnaire and recall questionnaire, the efficacy of the
Camouflage Syringe to reduce dental fear and anxiety ranged from 82 to 97 for various outcomes and from 60
to 100 for prevention of related adverse outcomes. For all outcomes, the number needed to treat was close to unity.

Conclusion

Our results strongly favour the use of Camouflage Syringe to reduce dental fear and anxiety in children.

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