Comparation of the Effectiveness of Taste Distraction Technique Using RMS Pictorial Scale for Recording RVG

Abstract

Background: Poor radiographic outcomes may affect the diagnosis and the course of treatment as well. Dentists treating children must understand that fear is a part of their development and if behavior modification strategies are not used, treatment could traumatize the child for the rest of their lives. The distraction technique is one of the most successful non-pharmacological. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the taste distraction technique while recording RVG

 Method: 60 children were divided into two groups, the control group with plastic barrier isolation and the taste distraction group.  Pre-treatment and post-treatment anxiety were recorded.  The anxiety of the child was assessed through (RMS a pictorial Scale (RMS-PS).

Result:   Pre-radiographic anxiety levels with or without taste distraction showed no significant difference. (p=0.641) whereas post-radiographic anxiety levels were significantly lower in children with taste distraction (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Taste distraction is effective in decreasing dental anxiety in children when compared to conventional techniques. Distractions such as taste distraction techniques help to make the environment friendly for the patient and make the dental procedures less troubling for the patient. This study suggests that taste distraction techniques can be used on children as they are easy to access and implement and are effective methods for reducing anxiety.