Comparison and evaluation of efficacy of olfactory and taste distraction in managing anxious pediatric patients during radiovisiography

Abstract

Due to dental anxiety & fear, young children tend to be more anxious even at the times of basic clinical examination and investigative procedures such as taking IOPAs, however, with the advent of RVGs, taking X-rays have become less cumbersome. A study was planned for comparison and evaluation of olfactory distraction utilizing aromatherapy, taste distraction and conventional method (Tell-Show-Do) in managing fearful children aged 4-7 years during radiovisiography (RVG). A total of 45 children (4-7 years old) were included and 3 groups (15 each) were formed and radiographs were taken with the help of RVG (radiovisigraphy) under aromatherapy, with taste distraction and using control- Tell Show Do technique. Pre- and Post- anxiety scores were measured using physiological measures- pulse and respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and Venham’s picture test. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21, IBM Inc, was used for statistical analysis.Both the test groups (aromatherapy and taste distraction group) when compared with control group, exhibited noteworthy post-treatment variation in anxiety level scores. No statistical significance was seen amongst taste distraction and aromatherapy group, although aromatherapy exhibited superior results in comparison to taste distraction. Both taste distraction using lollipop/candy and aromatherapy employing lavender essential oil are efficacious in management of anxiety among children, however aromatherapy unveils a better result in comparison. To conclude, a combination or individual use of less invasive techniques may be executed effectively in handling pediatric dental patients.