AI Avatar Video vs. Tell-Show-Do for Reducing Anxiety and Improving Cooperation in Children During Local Anesthesia

NCT07449884 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: USJ-CER-2026-07
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare two behavior guidance techniques used to reduce anxiety in children during local anesthesia injections in dental treatment. The study evaluates the traditional Tell-Show-Do (TSD) technique versus an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven, avatar-based video method called the "Mini Dentist." Children aged 5 to 7 years who require local anesthesia for routine dental treatment will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group will receive the conventional Tell-Show-Do explanation from the pediatric dentist. The experimental group will watch a short animated video featuring an AI-generated avatar that explains and demonstrates the procedure in a child-friendly manner before the injection. Anxiety and behavior will be assessed using heart rate monitoring, behavioral observation (FLACC scale), and a self-reported pain scale (Wong-Baker FACES). The goal is to determine whether the AI-based method improves cooperation and reduces anxiety compared to the traditional approach. Participation is voluntary, and all procedures follow ethical research standards.

Conditions

Anxiety; Fear; Local Anesthesia; Pediatric Dentistry

Keywords

Artificial intelligence; Child behavior; Dental anxiety; Local anesthesia.; Randomized Controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Heart Rate Changes During Local Anesthesia: Physiological Anxiety Response

  Heart rate will be measured using a pulse oximeter before and during local anesthesia administration to assess physiological anxiety response.

  Immediately before and during local anesthesia administration (single visit)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Pain Perception During Local Anesthesia Administration

  Immediately after local anesthesia administration (same visit)

• Child Behavioral Response During Local Anesthesia

  During local anesthesia administration (same visit)

Study Arms (2)

AI Avatar Video Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will watch an artificial intelligence-driven avatar-based video explaining the local anesthesia procedure before receiving the injection. The video presents the procedure in a child-friendly manner to reduce anxiety and improve cooperation during treatment.

Behavioral: AI Avatar-Based video

Tell-Show-Do Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive behavior management using the conventional Tell-Show-Do technique before administration of local anesthesia. The dentist will verbally explain, demonstrate, and then perform the procedure according to standard pediatric dental practice.

Behavioral: Tell-Show-Do Technique

Interventions

AI Avatar-Based video BEHAVIORAL

A pre-recorded artificial intelligence-driven avatar-based educational video shown to children prior to administration of local anesthesia. The video explains the injection procedure in simple, age-appropriate language to reduce dental anxiety and improve cooperation.

AI Avatar Video Group

Tell-Show-Do Technique BEHAVIORAL

A conventional behavior management technique used in pediatric dentistry in which the dentist tells the child about the procedure, shows the instruments in a non-threatening way, and then performs the treatment. This method aims to reduce anxiety and improve cooperation during local anesthesia administration.

Tell-Show-Do Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 5 Years - 7 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 5 to 7 years
• Medically healthy (ASA I)
• Cooperative behavior during dental examination
• No known allergy to local anesthetics
• Require non-urgent dental treatment under local anesthesia
• First-time experience receiving local anesthesia
• Able to understand and communicate

You may not qualify if:

• History of epilepsy
• Diagnosed anxiety or behavioral disorders
• Cognitive or developmental delay
• Hearing or visual impairment
• Previous experience with dental anesthesia
• Require inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Saint-Joseph University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sint Joseph University of Beirut- Pediatric Dentistry clinic

Beirut, Lebanon

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Child Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Rita Melekian, Pediatric dentistry resident

CONTACT

71/895228; rita.melekian@net.usj.edu.lb

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 26, 2026
• First Posted: March 4, 2026
• Study Start: February 16, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2027
• Last Updated: March 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

LE (1)