Evaluating the Impact of a Smartphone Dental Application vs a Kaleidoscope on Mitigating Childhood Dental Anxiety during the Administration of Local Anesthesia.

Aim: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a mobile dental application and a kaleidoscope in reducing dental anxiety among children aged 6-9 years receiving local anesthesia (LA) during dental procedures. Methodology: In this clinical study, 48 healthy children requiring invasive dental treatment were divided into two groups: the mobile dental app group (group I) and the kaleidoscope group (group II). Group I used the "Little Lovely Dentist" app before receiving LA, while group II viewed various designs through a kaleidoscope prior to anesthesia administration. Anxiety levels were assessed using physiological measures [pulse rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and respiratory rate] and subjective measures [facial image scale and Wong-Baker faces pain rating scale (WBFPS)] at preoperative and postoperative time points. Results: The kaleidoscope group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all measured parameters compared to the dental app group postintervention (p = 0.000). Group II exhibited decreased pulse and respiratory rates, increased SpO2, and reduced pain scores, while group I showed slight increases in pain scores and significant increases in respiratory and pulse rates. Conclusion: The findings suggest that using a kaleidoscope as a distraction technique is more effective than a mobile dental application in alleviating dental anxiety and pain in children during the administration of LA. How to cite this article: Pathivada L, Sahu B, Garg N, et al. Evaluating the Impact of a Smartphone Dental Application vs a Kaleidoscope on Mitigating Childhood Dental Anxiety during the Administration of Local Anesthesia. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(9):1128-1133.