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
Sayali Hansraj Patil, Prashant A Bondarde, Sandesh Bansal, Pooja Dialani, Sahili Bansod, Hetal JoshiContext:
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 (
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.