Effect of Play Dough, Slime, and Plush Toys on Dental Anxiety and Pain in Children During Dental Treatment

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Dental Anxiety, Dental Pain, Behavioral Management

In brief

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of tactile distraction materials, including play dough, slime, and plush toys, on dental anxiety, pain perception, and physiological stress responses in children undergoing dental treatment. Ninety children aged 6-10 years receiving restorative dental treatment under local anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of four groups: play dough, slime, plush toy, or control group without distraction. Dental anxiety and pain levels were assessed using validated psychometric scales, while physiological stress responses were evaluated through heart rate monitoring and salivary cortisol measurements. The study seeks to determine whether simple non-pharmacological distraction techniques can improve behavioral cooperation and reduce anxiety and pain perception during pediatric dental procedures. Findings may contribute to the development of child-friendly dental management strategies and enhance the quality of pediatric dental care.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07445594

Run by

Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University

People needed

90

Starts

2026-02-17

Expected to finish

2026-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-03-03

Who can join

Age: 6 and older, up to 10. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Children aged 6-10 years requiring restorative dental treatment.
• Indication for dental treatment under local anesthesia.
• Ability to understand and respond to dental anxiety and pain assessment scales (CFSS-DS and Wong-Baker Faces Scale).
• Children classified as ASA I or ASA II.
• No prior exposure to the distraction materials used in the study during dental treatment.
• Written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians.

You may not qualify if…

• Presence of systemic diseases or medical conditions affecting stress response or contraindicating routine dental treatment
• History of psychiatric, neurological, or developmental disorders that may impair cooperation or communication
• Use of medications influencing anxiety, pain perception, heart rate, or cortisol levels
• Requirement for sedation or general anesthesia for dental treatment
• Acute dental infection or emergency treatment requiring immediate intervention
• Refusal of participation by the child or parent/legal guardian

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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