The Impact of Medical Play in the Dental Clinic Setting on the Cooperation of Neurotypical Patients

Description

The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the efficacy of medical play in the dental setting to improve the behaviors and cooperation of neurotypical patients during dental visits. The specific aims of the study are as follows: 1. To evaluate differences in behaviors and cooperation levels of subjects utilizing medical play before a routine dental exam visit in comparison to those undergoing a routine dental exam visit without use of medical play. 2. To evaluate whether subjects who have a dental exam visit, with or without use of medical play, show improved behaviors and improved completion of components of the dental exam compared to their previous routine dental visit. 3. To evaluate provider perceptions of the behavior and cooperation of children using medical play before dental exam visits compared to dental exam visits without medical play. 4. To evaluate caregiver perceptions of the behavior and cooperation of children using medical play before dental exam visits compared to dental exam visits without medical play. 5. To evaluate patient perceptions of the dental exam, visit when medical play is used in comparison to dental exam visits without medical play. The hypotheses are as follows: 1. Subjects will have increased positive behaviors and improved cooperation during dental exam visits when medical play is utilized beforehand. 2. Providers will report improved behavior and cooperation from patients when medical play is utilized beforehand. 3. Parents will report improved behavior and cooperation from their children and report greater satisfaction with the dental visit when medical play is utilized beforehand. 4. Patients will report experiencing less anxiety, via the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale - Faces Version (MCDAS-f) after appointments in which medical play is utilized.

Conditions

Dental Phobia, Dental Anxiety, Oral Aversion

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the efficacy of medical play in the dental setting to improve the behaviors and cooperation of neurotypical patients during dental visits. The specific aims of the study are as follows: 1. To evaluate differences in behaviors and cooperation levels of subjects utilizing medical play before a routine dental exam visit in comparison to those undergoing a routine dental exam visit without use of medical play. 2. To evaluate whether subjects who have a dental exam visit, with or without use of medical play, show improved behaviors and improved completion of components of the dental exam compared to their previous routine dental visit. 3. To evaluate provider perceptions of the behavior and cooperation of children using medical play before dental exam visits compared to dental exam visits without medical play. 4. To evaluate caregiver perceptions of the behavior and cooperation of children using medical play before dental exam visits compared to dental exam visits without medical play. 5. To evaluate patient perceptions of the dental exam, visit when medical play is used in comparison to dental exam visits without medical play. The hypotheses are as follows: 1. Subjects will have increased positive behaviors and improved cooperation during dental exam visits when medical play is utilized beforehand. 2. Providers will report improved behavior and cooperation from patients when medical play is utilized beforehand. 3. Parents will report improved behavior and cooperation from their children and report greater satisfaction with the dental visit when medical play is utilized beforehand. 4. Patients will report experiencing less anxiety, via the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale - Faces Version (MCDAS-f) after appointments in which medical play is utilized.

The Impact of Medical Play in the Dental Clinic Setting on the Cooperation of Neurotypical Patients at Children's Hospital Colorado Dental Center

The Impact of Medical Play in the Dental Clinic Setting on the Cooperation of Neurotypical Patients

Condition
Dental Phobia
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Aurora

Children's Hospital of Colorado Health Pavilion-Dental Clinic, Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80011

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Previously identified as Frankl 1 or Frankl 2 per the electronic dental record during dental exam visits (Epic)
  • * Child subject is neurotypical
  • * Patient of record at Children's Hospital Colorado Dental Center
  • * Child subject is 5-10 years of age
  • * Caregiver must be the child's legal guardian
  • * Previously identified as Frankl 3 or Frankl 4 per the electronic dental record during dental exam visits (Epic)
  • * Children who have not previously received care at the Children's Hospital Colorado Dental Center
  • * Children that have a diagnosis of Autism or other neurologically atypical diagnosis
  • * Children not in the age range of 5-10 years
  • * Adult in attendance to dental visit with child is not the legal guardian

Ages Eligible for Study

5 Years to 10 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Colorado, Denver,

Chaitanya P Puranik, BDS,MS,PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus

Study Record Dates

2025-10