The Effect of Teledentistry on Dental Anxiety in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial

NCT07656948 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2022/143
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of a brief teledentistry consultation on dental anxiety in children aged 7-11 years. Two hundred children with no previous dental visits or treatment experience were randomly assigned to either a teledentistry group or a conventional clinical examination group. The teledentistry group received a standardized 3-5-minute pre-appointment video consultation via WhatsApp before their first dental visit. Dental anxiety was assessed using subjective and physiological parameters before and after the examination. The study investigated whether teledentistry could reduce dental anxiety and improve children's adaptation to their first dental visit.

Conditions

Dental Anxiety in Children; Teledentistry

Keywords

Teledentistry; Pediatric Dentistry; Dental Anxiety; Child; Facial Image Scale; First Dental Visit; Pulse Oximetry; Heart Rate

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Subjective dental anxiety in children

  Dental anxiety levels of children assessed before and after the first dental examination using the Facial Image Scale (FIS).

  Before and immediately after the first dental examination (same day)

• Objective dental anxiety assessed by oxygen saturation

  Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) was measured before and immediately after the first dental examination as an objective physiological parameter of dental anxiety.

  Before and immediately after the first dental examination (same day)

• Objective dental anxiety assessed by heart rate

  Heart rate was measured before and immediately after the first dental examination as an objective physiological parameter of dental anxiety.

  Before and immediately after the first dental examination (same day)

Study Arms (2)

Teledentistry Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received a standardized 3-5-minute synchronous teledentistry consultation via WhatsApp before their first dental examination. Children were introduced to the dentist, dental instruments, oral health concepts, and the examination process.

Behavioral: Teledentistry Consultation

Conventional Clinical Examination Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants underwent a conventional face-to-face clinical examination without prior teledentistry consultation. Children met the pediatric dentist for the first time during their scheduled dental appointment and received a routine clinical examination.

Other: Conventional Clinical Examination

Interventions

Teledentistry Consultation BEHAVIORAL

A standardized synchronous teledentistry consultation delivered via WhatsApp for 3-5 minutes before the first dental examination. Children were introduced to the dentist, dental instruments, oral health concepts, and the examination process.

Teledentistry Group

Conventional Clinical Examination OTHER

Participants underwent a routine face-to-face dental examination without prior teledentistry consultation. Children attended their first dental visit and received a standard clinical examination performed by a pediatric dentist.

Conventional Clinical Examination Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 7 Years - 11 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children aged 7 to 11 years.
• Children attending their first dental examination appointment.
• Children requiring a non-emergency dental examination.
• Children and their parents/legal guardians who provided written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Children with previous dental treatment experience.
• Children with systemic diseases, neurological disorders, or developmental disabilities that could affect anxiety assessment.
• Children requiring emergency dental treatment.
• Children whose parents/legal guardians did not provide consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Aydın University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Aydin University

Istanbul, Kucukcekmece, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD, Istanbul Aydin University

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of two parallel groups: a teledentistry group and a conventional clinical examination group in a 1:1 allocation ratio.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 16, 2026
• First Posted: June 18, 2026
• Study Start: September 11, 2023
• Primary Completion: July 23, 2024
• Study Completion: September 27, 2024
• Last Updated: June 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)