Comparative evaluation of effectiveness of Tell-Show-Do, Reverse Tell-Show-Do, and Reverse Tell-Show-Do with filmed modeling in managing dental anxiety among 4-8 years old children: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

CONTEXT: Dental anxiety significantly affects the delivery of dental care in children, often leading to poor cooperation. Behavior management techniques such as Tell-Show-Do (TSD), Reverse TSD (RTSD), and RTSD with Filmed Modeling (RTSD + FM) are commonly used to reduce anxiety and improve co-operation, but limited evidence exists comparing their effectiveness in highly anxious children.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of TSD, RTSD, and RTSD with FM in reducing dental anxiety among children aged 4-8 years.

METHODOLOGY: This randomized controlled trial included 45 anxious children aged 4-8 years (Venham's Picture Test [VPT] ≥4) who were randomly assigned to three groups: TSD, RTSD, and RTSD + FM ( n = 15 each). Pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and dental anxiety (VPT) were recorded before and after treatment, and data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and post hoc tests.

RESULTS

Subsequent to the intervention, all three groups showed statistically significant decrease in VPT scores and pulse rate. While RTSD and RTSD + FM demonstrated greater mean VPT reductions than TSD, RTSD had the largest mean pulse rate reduction. However, neither the VPT score nor the pulse rate showed statistically significant intergroup differences.

CONCLUSION

In children aged 4-8 years, TSD, RTSD, and RTSD + FM all significantly reduced dental anxiety. Although RTSD methods showed greater numerical reduction, the difference was not statistically significant, indicating that all three techniques are effective for managing dental anxiety.