Effects of AI-Generated Animated Videos on Dental Anxiety in Children
Instrument-Specific Effects of an AI-Generated Animated Video Series on Dental Anxiety in Paediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University
144 participants
Feb 17, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the overall effect of an artificial intelligence-generated, instrument-specific animated video series compared with the conventional Tell-Show-Do (TSD) technique on dental anxiety in children aged 4 to 8 years. The study will also investigate whether the anxiety-reducing effect differs according to the dental instrument introduced. Researchers will compare the animated video series with the conventional Tell-Show-Do technique across four dental instruments: dental mirror, dental probe, micromotor handpiece, and saliva ejector. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the study groups. Children will either watch an instrument-specific animated educational video or receive the Tell-Show-Do technique related to a specific dental instrument. Dental anxiety levels will be evaluated using the Facial Image Scale (FIS), Venham Picture Test (VPT) and Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-Faces version (MCDASf), together with pulse rate and oxygen saturation levels, before and after the application procedure.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Age 4-8 years
- Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale score of 3 or 4 (positive or definitely positive) at initial assessment
- No previous restorative or surgical dental treatment
- ASA physical status classification I or II
- Ability to communicate in Turkish
- Written informed consent from the parent or legal guardian
Exclusion Criteria4
- Confirmed neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
- Clinically significant visual or hearing impairment
- Prior exposure to formal behaviour management conditioning programmes
- Requirement for emergency dental care at the study appointment
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Interventions
An original four-episode animated video series produced using AI-assisted animation tools. Each episode is approximately 60 seconds in duration and is designed around a single dental instrument, featuring a recurring maternal character and anthropomorphic dental germ characters whose mischievous behaviour is resolved through the action of the featured instrument. Each child viewed only the single episode corresponding to the instrument assigned to their group.
The standard Tell-Show-Do technique applied specifically to the instrument assigned to each group. The clinician verbally described the instrument's name, appearance, and function using age-appropriate language (Tell); demonstrated it on the child's hand before approaching the mouth (Show); and applied it intra-orally (Do). Each TSD session lasted approximately 4 minutes, matching the viewing time of the single animated episode in the intervention condition.
Locations(1)
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NCT07596771