A Comparison of Audio and Audio-Visual Distraction Techniques in Managing Dental Anxiety in Pediatric Patients: A Clinical Study

Background: Pain and fear of pain makes dental treatmentvery difficult for clinician as well as patients. Minimizing fearand anxiety can help to treat patients more comfortably.Various techniques like audio distraction, audio visualdistraction are used to minimize anxiety.Aim: To compare audio and audio-visual distractiontechniques in managing dental anxiety.Methods: 100 children visiting the Department of Dentistry,UPUMS, Saifai for routine dental care were examined. Theselected 100 children were randomly allocated to 2 groups.Group 1: audio distraction and Group 2: audiovisual group.Results: Venham’s anxiety scale was found to be lower inaudiovisual distraction group, although the difference was notfound to be statistically significant during all the visits.Relatively less increase in pulp rate was also observed in audiovisual distraction group in current study.Conclusion: Audiovisual distraction technique can bepreferred over audio distraction in paediatric patients