Turtle-Assisted Animal Interaction on Dental Anxiety and Physiological Parameters in Children

NCT07439289 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: Eda3Iğdır University
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to measure the effect of a structured AAT session with a turtle present on dental anxiety and behavioral compliance in children during routine procedures that do not require local anesthesia in a pediatric dental clinic.

Conditions

Dental Anxiety; Pediatric Disease; Animal-Human Bonding

Keywords

Animal-Human Bonding; Dental Anxiety; Pediatric Disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (CDAS/DAS)

  * Measures general dental anxiety related to dentistry. * Consists of 4 questions; each question is a 5-point Likert scale. • The total score ranges from 4 to 20; the higher the score, the higher the anxiety level. • Developed by Corah, the DAS is one of the classic and widely used scales for measuring dental anxiety and is used as an easily applicable screening tool in various studies.

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale - faces (MCDASf)

  • Measures dental anxiety in children, particularly procedure/stimulus-based fear. • Consists of 8 questions; each question includes a facial expression response option that children can understand. • Each item is scored 1-5; the total score is between 8-40. Higher scores indicate higher anxiety levels. • Due to its facial expression response feature, it is a scale with high comprehensibility, validity, and reliability, particularly in the pediatric age group.

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Facial Image Scale (FIS)

  • Used to quickly assess immediate dental anxiety in children. • Consists of 5 facial expressions (very unhappy → very happy). The child chooses the expression that best reflects their current emotion. • Usually rated on a scale of 1-5; anxiety increases with the selection of more negative expressions. • Developed by Buchanan and Niven, it has been shown to be valid for assessing childhood dental anxiety in clinical settings.

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Venham Picture Test (VPT)

  • Measures dental anxiety using a projective/visual method, especially in younger age groups. • Consists of 8 cards; each card has two figures: one anxious, the other relaxed/calm. • The child chooses the figure they feel closest to; total score 0-8 (higher score = higher anxiety). • Developed for use with children with limited verbal communication; frequently preferred in waiting room and pre-procedure assessments.

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Frankl Behavior Assessment Scale (Frankl Scale)

  • It evaluates the child's observed behavioral compliance/cooperation during dental procedures. • The dentist makes a 4-category observational assessment: "Definitely negative, Negative, Positive, Definitely positive." • It is one of the most commonly used behavioral scales in pediatric dentistry; it allows the operator to practically classify the child's compliance with treatment.

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

• Physiological measurement

  Pulse

  through study completion, an average of 1 year

Study Arms (2)

Experimental: experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participation in the study is entirely voluntary. After the purpose of the study is explained to the experimental group by the researcher and written and verbal permission is obtained from those who voluntarily agree to participate in the study, the pre-test data will be collected by the researcher.

Combination Product: experimental group

Experimental: Control Group

EXPERIMENTAL

After the purpose of the study is explained to the control group by the researcher and written and verbal permission is obtained from those who voluntarily agree to participate in the study, the pre-test data will be collected by the researcher. The researcher will fill out the questionnaire forms for the experimental group and collect post-test data.

Combination Product: Control Group

Interventions

experimental group COMBINATION_PRODUCT

Application and Information: Parental consent + child consent form will be obtained. Initial measurement (T0): Anxiety/fear scales + pulse measurement in the waiting area. Intervention: * Turtle interaction for a specified duration in the HDT group. * Standard approach / active control (an activity such as painting) in the control group. Pre-procedure (T1): Short repeat measurement in the dental chair. Post-procedure (T2): Scale + short satisfaction/experience questions. Possible adverse events (increased fear, crying spell, allergic reaction, etc.) will be recorded.

Experimental: experimental group

Control Group COMBINATION_PRODUCT

After the purpose of the study is explained to the control group by the researcher and written and verbal permission is obtained from those who voluntarily agree to participate in the study, the pre-test data will be collected by the researcher.At the end of the intervention, survey forms will be filled out by the researcher for the control group and post-test data will be collected.

Experimental: Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 10 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 6-10 years
• Children with ASA I-II general health status
• Children who have obtained written parental consent + an age-appropriate informed consent form
• Children undergoing non-invasive procedures that do not require local anesthesia, such as dental examinations, fissure sealant or fluoride application. • Children who can understand Turkish instructions (for scale application).

You may not qualify if:

• Children with animal phobia / intense fear of turtles (as stated by the child or parent). • Children with immunosuppression or a history of severe allergic diseases. • Children with a dental plan requiring sedation/GA within the last month (due to intense anxiety or systemic illness).
• Children with an active infectious disease / a condition requiring isolation. • Children for whom a physician has deemed contact with animals inadvisable. • Children who have been included in a similar behavioral/anxiety intervention program during the same period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Igdir University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Igdır University

Iğdır, Iğdır, 76000, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Human-Animal Bond

Interventions

Control Groups

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Human-Animal Interaction; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Epidemiologic Research Design; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Research Design; Methods

Central Study Contacts

Eda Gülbetekin, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

05398612688; edagulbetekin@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 16, 2026
• First Posted: February 27, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: July 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

TU (1)