Effects of AI-Generated Animated Videos on Dental Anxiety in Children
AIVDAC
Instrument-Specific Effects of an AI-Generated Animated Video Series on Dental Anxiety in Paediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
144
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the overall effect of an artificial intelligence-generated, instrument-specific animated video series compared with the conventional Tell-Show-Do (TSD) technique on dental anxiety in children aged 4 to 8 years. The study will also investigate whether the anxiety-reducing effect differs according to the dental instrument introduced. Researchers will compare the animated video series with the conventional Tell-Show-Do technique across four dental instruments: dental mirror, dental probe, micromotor handpiece, and saliva ejector. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the study groups. Children will either watch an instrument-specific animated educational video or receive the Tell-Show-Do technique related to a specific dental instrument. Dental anxiety levels will be evaluated using the Facial Image Scale (FIS), Venham Picture Test (VPT) and Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-Faces version (MCDASf), together with pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels, before and after the application procedure.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Feb 2026
Shorter than P25 for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
February 17, 2026
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
May 13, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
May 19, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 30, 2026
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
June 30, 2026
May 19, 2026
May 1, 2026
4 months
May 13, 2026
May 13, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Venham's Picture Test (VPT)
An eight-item pictorial anxiety measure requiring children to select the image (anxious or non-anxious figure) that best represents their feelings (score range 0-8).
Baseline (T0) and immediately post-intervention (T1)
Facial Image Scale (FIS)
A five-item pictorial self-report scale depicting faces ranging from very happy (1) to very unhappy (5), validated for use in children aged ≥ 4 years with limited literacy.
Baseline (T0) and immediately post-intervention (T1)
Secondary Outcomes (3)
Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale - Faces Version (MCDASf)
Baseline (T0) and immediately post-intervention (T1)
Heart Rate (HR)
Baseline (T0) and immediately post-intervention (T1)
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
Baseline (T0) and immediately post-intervention (T1)
Study Arms (8)
Animated Series - Dental Mirror
EXPERIMENTALChildren in this arm viewed a single episode of the AI-generated animated video series (\~60 seconds) corresponding to the dental mirror, presented on a 10-inch tablet at 60 dB SPL in the dental waiting area prior to clinical examination. The episode features a recurring maternal character and anthropomorphic dental germ characters that hide among tooth surfaces and are revealed and removed by the dental mirror.
Tell-Show-Do - Dental Mirror
ACTIVE COMPARATORChildren in this arm received the standard Tell-Show-Do technique (\~4 minutes) applied specifically to the dental mirror, following a standardised script. The clinician verbally described the instrument's name, appearance, and function using age-appropriate language (Tell); demonstrated it on the child's hand before approaching the mouth (Show); and applied it intra-orally (Do).
Animated Series - Dental Probe
EXPERIMENTALChildren in this arm viewed a single episode of the AI-generated animated video series (\~60 seconds) corresponding to the dental probe. The episode features a recurring maternal character and anthropomorphic dental germ characters that jump between teeth and become wedged in interproximal spaces, then are dislodged and removed by the dental probe.
Tell-Show-Do - Dental Probe
ACTIVE COMPARATORChildren in this arm received the standard Tell-Show-Do technique (\~4 minutes) applied specifically to the dental probe, following a standardised script. The clinician verbally described the instrument's name, appearance, and function using age-appropriate language (Tell); demonstrated it on the child's hand before approaching the mouth (Show); and applied it intra-orally (Do).
Animated Series - Micromotor Handpiece
EXPERIMENTALChildren in this arm viewed a single episode of the AI-generated animated video series (\~60 seconds) corresponding to the micromotor handpiece. The episode features a recurring maternal character and anthropomorphic dental germ characters that eat and rest on a tooth surface, then are tickled and removed by the micromotor handpiece.
Tell-Show-Do - Micromotor Handpiece
ACTIVE COMPARATORChildren in this arm received the standard Tell-Show-Do technique (\~4 minutes) applied specifically to the micromotor handpiece, following a standardised script. The clinician verbally described the instrument's name, appearance, and function using age-appropriate language (Tell); demonstrated it on the child's hand before approaching the mouth (Show); and applied it intra-orally (Do).
Animated Series - Saliva Ejector
EXPERIMENTALChildren in this arm viewed a single episode of the AI-generated animated video series (\~60 seconds) corresponding to the saliva ejector. The episode features a recurring maternal character and anthropomorphic dental germ characters that flood the mouth with water and swim freely, then are eliminated by the suction of the saliva ejector.
Tell-Show-Do - Saliva Ejector
ACTIVE COMPARATORChildren in this arm received the standard Tell-Show-Do technique (\~4 minutes) applied specifically to the saliva ejector, following a standardised script. The clinician verbally described the instrument's name, appearance, and function using age-appropriate language (Tell); demonstrated it on the child's hand before approaching the mouth (Show); and applied it intra-orally (Do).
Interventions
An original four-episode animated video series produced using AI-assisted animation tools. Each episode is approximately 60 seconds in duration and is designed around a single dental instrument, featuring a recurring maternal character and anthropomorphic dental germ characters whose mischievous behaviour is resolved through the action of the featured instrument. Each child viewed only the single episode corresponding to the instrument assigned to their group.
The standard Tell-Show-Do technique applied specifically to the instrument assigned to each group. The clinician verbally described the instrument's name, appearance, and function using age-appropriate language (Tell); demonstrated it on the child's hand before approaching the mouth (Show); and applied it intra-orally (Do). Each TSD session lasted approximately 4 minutes, matching the viewing time of the single animated episode in the intervention condition.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Age 4-8 years
- Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale score of 3 or 4 (positive or definitely positive) at initial assessment
- No previous restorative or surgical dental treatment
- ASA physical status classification I or II
- Ability to communicate in Turkish
- Written informed consent from the parent or legal guardian
You may not qualify if:
- Confirmed neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
- Clinically significant visual or hearing impairment
- Prior exposure to formal behaviour management conditioning programmes
- Requirement for emergency dental care at the study appointment
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Faculty of Dentistry
Alanya, Antalya, 07425, Turkey (Türkiye)
MeSH Terms
Interventions
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- SUPPORTIVE CARE
- Intervention Model
- FACTORIAL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Associate Professor Doctor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
May 13, 2026
First Posted
May 19, 2026
Study Start
February 17, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
June 30, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
June 30, 2026
Last Updated
May 19, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-05
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share
Individual participant data will not be shared publicly due to ethical considerations related to pediatric participants and institutional data protection policies. De-identified aggregate data may be reported in publications.