Distraction in Pediatric Dentistry: A Scoping Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ajm.2025.8.02.10Keywords:
Distraction techniques, Pediatric dentistry, Anxiety management.Abstract
Distraction techniques play a vital role in managing anxiety and fear among pediatric dental patients. This scoping review aims to explore the various distraction methods used in pediatric dentistry, emphasizing their effectiveness and incorporation into clinical practice. The review encompasses a range of distraction strategies, including visual, auditory, and interactive approaches, to assess their impact on children’s emotional responses and cooperation during dental treatments. By synthesizing existing literature, the findings highlight the benefits of distraction in alleviating anxiety, improving patient experience, and enhancing treatment outcomes. The review also identifies gaps in current research and suggests directions for future studies to optimize the application of distraction techniques in pediatric dental settings.References
Dahlan M, Alsaywed R, Alamoudi R, Batarfi AA, Basodan OY, Gazzaz Y, Alqarni YA, Alamoudi A. Assessment of different distraction behavioral methods in pediatric dental clinic: a systematic review. Cureus. 2023;15(7):e42366.
Khandelwal M, Shetty RM, Rath S. Effectiveness of distraction techniques in managing pediatric dental patients. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2019;12(1):18–24.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Guideline on behavior guidance for the pediatric dental patient. Pediatr Dent. 2015;37(5):57–70.
Shetty RM, Khandelwal M, et al. RMS pictorial scale (RMS-PS) – an innovative scale for the assessment of child’s dental anxiety. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2015;33(1):48–52.
Venham LL, Goldstein M, et al. Effectiveness of a distraction technique in managing young dental patients. Pediatr Dent. 1981;3(1):7–11.
Yamini V, Bailwad SA, et al. Effectiveness of music distraction in the management of anxious pediatric dental patients. Ann Essences Dent. 2010;2(2):1–5.
McCaul KD, Mallott JM. Distraction and coping with pain. Psychol Bull. 1984;95:516–33.
Wright GZ, Stigers JI. Nonpharmacologic management of children’s behaviors. In: Dean JA, Avery DR, McDonald RE, editors. McDonald and Avery’s Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent. 9th ed. Maryland Heights (MO): Mosby-Elsevier; 2011. p.27–40.
Fatma N, Navit S, Khan SA, Upadhyay M. Contemporary distraction tools used in pediatric dentistry: an overview. Univ J Dent Sci. 2021;7(3):154–62.
Jafarimofrad S, Sarlak H, Nourmohammadi S. Is audio a mandatory component of multimedia distraction for reduction of pain and anxiety of pediatric dental patients? A split-mouth crossover randomized controlled clinical trial. Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2022;19:10.
Navit S, Johri N, Khan SA, et al. Effectiveness and comparison of various audio distraction aids in management of anxious dental pediatric patients. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9:ZC05–9.
Kaur R, Jindal R, Dua R, Mahajan S, Sethi K, Garg S. Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of audio and audiovisual distraction aids in the management of anxious pediatric dental patients. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2015;33:192–203.
Guinot F, Mercadé M, Oprysnyk L, Veloso A, Boj JR. Comparison of active versus passive audiovisual distraction tools on children’s behaviour, anxiety and pain in pediatric dentistry: a randomized crossover clinical trial. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2021;22:230–6.
Al-Halabi MN, Bshara N, AlNerabieah Z. Effectiveness of audiovisual distraction using virtual reality eyeglasses versus tablet device in child behavioral management during inferior alveolar nerve block. Anaesth Pain Intensive Care. 2018;22:55–61.
Chaturvedi S, Walimbe H, Karekar P, et al. Comparative evaluation of anxiety level during conventional dental procedures with and without audiovisual distraction eyeglasses in pediatric dental patients. J Int Oral Health. 2016;8:1016.
Shetty V, Suresh LR, Hegde AM. Effect of virtual reality distraction on pain and anxiety during dental treatment in 5–8-year-old children. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2019;43:97–102.
James J, Retnakumari N, Vadakkepurayil K, et al. Effectiveness of aromatherapy and music distraction in managing pediatric dental anxiety: a comparative study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021;14(2):249–53.
Marwah N, Prabhakar AR, Raju OS. Music distraction—its efficacy in management of anxious pediatric dental patients. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2005;23(4):168–70.
Gupta N, Gupta H, Gupta P, et al. Evaluation of the role of music as a nonpharmacological technique in management of child patients. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2017;18:194–7.
Nuvvula S, Alahari S, Kamatham R, Challa RR. Effect of audiovisual distraction with 3D video glasses on dental anxiety of children experiencing administration of local analgesia: a randomized clinical trial. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2015;16(1):43–50.
Niharika P, Venugopal Reddy N, Srujana P, Srikanth K, Daneswari V, Sai GK. Effects of distraction using virtual reality technology on pain perception and anxiety levels in children during pulp therapy of primary molars. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2018;36(4):364–9.
GS G, George S, Anandaraj S, et al. Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of virtual reality distraction, audio distraction and tell-show-do techniques in reducing the anxiety level of pediatric dental patients: an in vivo study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2021;14:S173–8.
CH CKS, Nagar P, HR P, et al. Magic: a modern alleviating constituent of anxiety levels in children. J South Asian Assoc Pediatr Dent. 2022;5(3):121–6.
Rahaman SKM, Maiti N, Harish S, Achanur M, Pramanik MS, Ahmed A. Impact of dental treatment simulation app on anxiety of pediatric dental patients: an observational study. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2024;16(Suppl 4):S3610–2.
Tirupathi S, Krishna N, Rajasekhar S, Nuvvula S. Eye movement distraction: a new distraction technique for management of dental anxiety during intraoral local anesthesia administration in children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2019;12(6):507–9.
Tyagi P, Mali S, Rathi SV, et al. Comparative evaluation of visual and taste distraction techniques using RMS pictorial scale in making periapical radiographs. J South Asian Assoc Pediatr Dent. 2022;5(1):32–7.
Kamath PS. A novel distraction technique for pain management during local anesthesia administration in pediatric patients. J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2013;38(1):45–7.

