Comparison and evaluation of efficacy of olfactory and taste distraction in managing anxious pediatric patients during radiovisiography

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Original Article

Author Details : Anam Khushboo Khan*, Gauri Kalra, Bhavna Gupta Saraf, Neha Sheoran, Tanya Kakkar, Pallavi Lakhanpal

Volume : 11, Issue : 1, Year : 2023

Article Page : 36-42

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jds.2023.008

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Abstract

Introduction: Due to dental anxiety & fear, young children tend to be more anxious even at the times of basic clinical examination and investigative procedures such as taking IOPAs, however, with the advent of RVGs, taking X-rays have become less cumbersome.
Aim: A study was planned for comparison and evaluation of olfactory distraction utilizing aromatherapy, taste distraction and conventional method (Tell-Show-Do) in managing fearful children aged 4-7 years during radiovisiography (RVG).
Materials and and Methods: A total of 45 children (4-7 years old) were included and 3 groups (15 each) were formed and radiographs were taken with the help of RVG (radiovisigraphy) under aromatherapy, with taste distraction and using control- Tell Show Do technique. Pre- and Post- anxiety scores were measured using physiological measures- pulse and respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and Venham’s picture test. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21, IBM Inc, was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Both the test groups (aromatherapy and taste distraction group) when compared with control group, exhibited noteworthy post-treatment variation in anxiety level scores. No statistical significance was seen amongst taste distraction and aromatherapy group, although aromatherapy exhibited superior results in comparison to taste distraction.
Conclusion: Both taste distraction using lollipop/candy and aromatherapy employing lavender essential oil are efficacious in management of anxiety among children, however aromatherapy unveils a better result in comparison. To conclude, a combination or individual use of less invasive techniques may be executed effectively in handling pediatric dental patients.
 

Keywords: Aromatherapy, Taste distraction, Anxiety, Distraction techniques, Behaviour shaping, Pediatric dentistry

How to cite : Khan A K, Kalra G, Saraf B G, Sheoran N, Kakkar T, Lakhanpal P, Comparison and evaluation of efficacy of olfactory and taste distraction in managing anxious pediatric patients during radiovisiography. J Dent Spec 2023;11(1):36-42

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