Low-level Laser Therapy to Alleviate Pain of Local Anesthesia Injection in Children: A Randomized Control Trial

Aim

The aim of our study was to evaluate and compare pain perception following photobiomodulation (PBM), topical anesthesia, precooling of the injection site, and vibration during administration of local anesthesia injection in pediatric patients aged 6-13 years.

Materials and methods

In this split-mouth study, a total of 120 patients between the age group of 6 and 13 years were selected and randomly divided into three equal groups with 40 subjects in each. Pain was assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) and the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale after the administration of local anesthesia. Behavior during the procedure was assessed using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale filled by the operator. Pulse rate was recorded before and during the administration of local anesthesia using pulse oximeter. After the procedure, patient compliance was also recorded using validated questionnaire. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The study showed PBM exhibited the lowest mean scores of anxiety/pain using VAS, Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, FLACC scale and pulse rate as compared to precooling, vibration, and topical anesthesia. The differences in pain scores recorded were found to be statistically significant. Children were not anxious about the PBM method and exhibited good compliance (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Photobiomodulation (PBM) was found to be effective means of reducing injection pain, demonstrating much better efficacy than other tested methods.

Clinical significance

Photobiomodulation (PBM) can be used effectively to better manage procedures that patients frequently find painful without the need for prescription drugs, which frequently have several side effects.

How to cite this article

Khan BS, Setty JV, Srinivasan I, et al. Low-level Laser Therapy to Alleviate Pain of Local Anesthesia Injection in Children: A Randomized Control Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-3):S283-S287.

Characterization of Cocoa Bean Husk Extract Particles and its Comparison as a Mouthrinse with Different Vehicles in Children aged 7-12 Years

Aim

Assessing the efficacy of cocoa bean husk extract (CBHE) particles with different vehicles as a mouthrinse in children aged 7-12 years in comparison to chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium fluoride (NaF) mouthrinse.

Materials and methods

A total of 80 children aged 7-12 years residing at a residential school/orphanage in Bengaluru city were selected and randomly allocated into five groups-group I: 0.1% CBHE with distilled water (DW); group II: 0.1% CBHE with Ringer's lactate (RL); group III: 0.12% CHX; group IV: 0.1% CBHE with normal saline (NS); and group V: 0.05% NaF. A Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) was recorded, salivary pH was assessed, and unstimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline (BL) after 30 minutes of rinsing on day 7 and day 14. These saliva samples were subjected to microbiological analysis, and all the data from five groups at four different time intervals was tabulated and statistically evaluated.

Results

Nearly 0.1% CBHE with NS as vehicle showed maximum antibacterial properties among all the groups at all time intervals. The addition of RL to CBHE provided better anti-plaque efficacy than 0.1% CBHE with DW and 0.12% CHX mouthwash. All three combinations of 0.1% CBHE and 0.12% CHX mouthwash proved to be better anti-plaque agents than 0.05% NaF. Improving the preparation of CBHE mouthwash by using NS, RL, and with the addition of saccharin sodium also improved the patient's compliance.

Conclusion

Thus, preparing chocolate/CBHE mouthwash with NS or RL instead of plain DW increased the salivary pH, anti-plaque efficacy, and antibacterial property by reducing Streptococcus mutans growth.

Clinical significance

Cocoa bean husk extract (CBHE) mouthwash is a better anticariogenic and nonalcoholic mouthwash compared to CHX and NaF, which can be safely used in children as a routine oral rinse and also for those with gingivitis and high-risk of caries.

How to cite this article

Kibriya S, Srinivasan I, Setty JV, et al. Characterization of Cocoa Bean Husk Extract Particles and its Comparison as a Mouthrinse with Different Vehicles in Children aged 7-12 Years. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(1):54-59.

Assessment of anxiety levels in children aged 4-9 years about the pediatric dentists donning a personal protective equipment during treatment in the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Managing anxiety in children during the pandemic will be a concern for many pediatric dentists.

AIM

The aim of this study was to assess the anxiety levels in children aged between 4 and 9 years about the pediatric dentists donning a personal protective equipment (PPE) for dental treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic era in Bengaluru.

METHODS

The study was done in two parts with a sample size of 100 each. The first part was a questionnaire-based survey addressed to the pediatric dentists practicing in Bengaluru. The second part of the study was clinical assessment of dental anxiety at three time intervals (T1, T2, and T3) using the animated emoji scale.

RESULTS

The study revealed that 87% use preprocedural behavior management post-COVID. Majority of the dentists donned the PPE before conditioning the child (59%) and 41% wore the PPE after conditioning the child. The mean anxiety level in the study children showed an increase in anxiety level at T2 of 3.58 (P < 0.001 ± 1.32) in children aged 4-6 years when compared to T1 and T3 of 3.27 (P < 0.001 ± 1.64) and 3.07 (P < 0.001 ± 1.32), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Children aged between 4 and 6 years showed increased levels of anxiety compared to the 7-9-year age group to the pediatric dentists donning a PPE during treatment in the COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatric dentists also showed a satisfactory knowledge regarding disinfection and fumigation procedures.