Cochrane · intervention · CD011024

Interventions for increasing acceptance of local anaesthetic in children and adolescents having dental treatment

Monteiro, J, Tanday, A, Ashley, PF, et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2020 · Cochrane Library

Oral HealthPain control and patient management2 versionsAMSTAR 2: not assessed
Full textEvery question was extracted from the full review (methods and results), not only its Summary of Findings table.
Questions
73
current version
GRADE rated
11
No studies
55
Included studies
26
as reported
No studies 55 · 75.3%Ungraded 7 · 9.6%Very low 10 · 13.7%Low 1 · 1.4%Moderate 0 · 0%High 0 · 0%

Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.

Review question

ElementPlanned (methods)Found (results)
PopulationChildren and adolescents up to 18 years old having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia. Children and adolescents (up to 18 years) with any form of special healthcare needs were not excluded2435 children aged 2 to 16 years across 26 parallel RCTs (studies carried out 2002-2019 in UK, USA, Netherlands, Iran, India, France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Mexico, and Korea)
InterventionEquipment factors: Audiovisual technology (Visual; Auditory; Combined visual and auditory); Topical anaesthetic (Topical anaesthetic agents; Cooling of injection site); Local anaesthetic (Gauge of needle; Temperature of cartridge); Electronic devices (Infiltration devices; Intraosseous devices; Intraligamental devices); Others (Needleless devices; Vibration device; Transcutaneous nerve stimulation). Dentist factors (non-pharmacological interventions): Imagery suggestion; Counter-stimulation; Systematic desensitisation; Hypnosis; Others (Language - non-threatening words; Viewing/hiding needle; Time taken to deliver local anaesthetic; Site of injection/order of treatment)Audiovisual distraction (n=3); Pre-cooling of injection site (n=1); The wand (n=9); Camouflage syringe (n=1); Counter-stimulation or distraction (n=5); Electrical counter-stimulation device DentalVibe (n=1); Counter-stimulation and distraction (n=1); Hypnosis (n=3); Video modelling (n=2)
ComparisonDelivery of LA using a conventional syringe (usual care), or any other dental equipment or dentist-led interventionConventional treatment/traditional LA/conventional syringe (usual care); Sleeper One; Oral hygiene video; Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)
OutcomesPrimary outcomes: Acceptance of LA (yes/no). Secondary outcomes: Completion of dental treatment (yes/no); Successful LA/painless treatment (yes/no); Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA; Pain on injection (yes/no); Pre and postoperative anxiety measures; Patient satisfaction (questionnaires); Parent satisfaction (questionnaires); Adverse eventsSelf- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance during provision of LA (n=26; graded very low to low); Pain on injection; Pre and postoperative anxiety measures; Physiological measures (pulse rate)
Study designsParallel randomised controlled trials. Quasi-randomised and cross-over trials were excludedRandomised controlled trials, parallel design (n=26)
TimingInterventions delivered in advance of LA; immediately before LA; during LAIn advance of LA (video modelling); immediately before LA; during LA

Search date: 2019-05. Databases: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); MEDLINE Ovid; Embase Ovid; Web of Science; ClinicalTrials.gov; World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform

Questions and results

Show all 2 versions

Audiovisual distraction vs Conventional treatment

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
8 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Successful LA/painless treatment
During LA
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Pre- and post-operative anxiety measures (Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale: faces, MCDAS(f), after LA)
During LA · Audiovisual glasses vs conventional
MD -12.60 [-15.33, -9.87]1 studyUngraded
Acceptance of LA
During LA
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Completion of dental treatment
During LA
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour during LA (negative vs positive behaviour; Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale)
During LA
RR 0.13 [0.03, 0.50]
533 vs 69
1 study · 60 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Adverse effects
During LA
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
During LA
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Pain on injection (Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, after inferior alveolar block)
During LA · VR box vs conventional
MD 0.04 [-0.41, 0.48]1 studyUngraded

Pre-cooling of the injection site vs Conventional treatment

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Completion of dental treatment
Immediately before LA
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain (SEM scale - Sound, Eyes, and Motor scale)
Immediately before LA
pain (SEM scale); risk with conventional treatment -, risk with pre-cooling -; 160 (1 RCT); VERY LOW. Evidence is uncertain regarding the effect of pre-cooling of the injection site on pain (data presented in a form…1 study · 160 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Adverse effects
Immediately before LA
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
Immediately before LA
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Acceptance of LA
Immediately before LA
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Successful LA/painless treatment
Immediately before LA
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies

The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Traditional local anaesthetic

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Pain perception during the intervention (pooled)
During LA (injection is the intervention)
RR 1.15 [0.83, 1.59]2 studies · 68 participantsUngraded
Acceptance of LA
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour (any disruptive behaviour/sudden reaction/movement)
During LA (injection is the intervention)
pain-related behaviour (any disruptive behaviour/sudden reaction/movement); 4 studies reported a benefit in using the wand while the remaining studies results suggested no difference between the 2 methods of delivering…6 studies · 704 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Adverse effects
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Successful LA/painless treatment
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Completion of dental treatment
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies

The wand (computer-controlled LA delivery system) vs Sleeper One (electronic LA delivery system)

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Adverse effects
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Acceptance of LA
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Completion of dental treatment
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour (any disruptive behaviour; modified Wong-Baker Faces Scale)
During LA (injection is the intervention)
MD 0.06 [0.01, 0.11]1 study · 112 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Successful LA/painless treatment
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Pain on injection (self-reported; FACES Pain Scale Revised)
During LA (injection is the intervention)
MD 0.68 [-1.31, 2.67]1 study · 112 participantsUngraded

Camouflage syringe vs Conventional syringe

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Completion of dental treatment
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour (crying)
During LA (injection is the intervention)
RR 0.02 [0.00, 0.37]
420 vs 8
1 study · 100 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Acceptance of LA
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Adverse effects
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Successful LA/painless treatment
During LA (injection is the intervention)
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies

Counter-stimulation or distraction vs Conventional treatment

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
Immediately before or during LA
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Adverse effects
Immediately before or during LA
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Completion of dental treatment
Immediately before or during LA
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Successful LA/painless treatment
Immediately before or during LA
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Acceptance of LA
Immediately before or during LA
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Pain on injection (Wong-Baker Faces / TPPPS / FPS-R, after LA)
Immediately before or during LA · Kamath 2013 (WITAUL)
MD -3.18 [-4.26, -2.10]1 studyUngraded
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain (SEM scale; any pain vs no pain)
Immediately before or during LA
RR 0.12 [0.04, 0.34]
407 vs 49
1 study · 134 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision

Electrical counter-stimulation device (DentalVibe) vs Conventional treatment (no stimulation)

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Acceptance of LA
During LA
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Completion of dental treatment
During LA
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Successful LA/painless treatment
During LA
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain (Wong-Baker Faces Pain Scale, 0 to 10)
During LA
MD -1.34 [-2.35, -0.33]1 study · 100 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Adverse effects
During LA
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
During LA
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies

Counter-stimulation and distraction (combined) vs Conventional treatment

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA (SEM scale, distress)
During LA
No numeric data reported. Study authors reported lower distress values (SEM scale) for all categories in the combined counter-stimulation and distraction group; this difference was significant when compared to the…1 study · 78 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Adverse effects
During LA
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Successful LA/painless treatment
During LA
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Acceptance of LA
During LA
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Completion of dental treatment
During LA
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
During LA
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies

Hypnosis vs Conventional treatment

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Physical/verbal resistance and self-reported pain during LA (other studies)
Immediately before or during LA · Oberoi 2016 (resistance)
RR 0.47 [0.34, 0.65]1 study · 200 participantsUngraded
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
Immediately before or during LA
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Adverse effects
Immediately before or during LA
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Acceptance of LA
Immediately before or during LA
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain (modified objective pain score, mOPS; VAS 0 to 10)
Immediately before or during LA
MD -1.79 [-3.01, -0.57]1 study · 29 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Successful LA/painless treatment
Immediately before or during LA
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Completion of dental treatment
Immediately before or during LA
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies

Video modelling acclimatisation for LA vs Oral hygiene video

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
6 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Completion of dental treatment
In advance of LA
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Acceptance of LA
In advance of LA
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: anxiety/pain experience (VAS, higher scores indicate worsened anxiety)
In advance of LA
MD -37.16 [-50.94, -23.38]1 study · 66 participantsLow
Downgraded: imprecision
Adverse effects
In advance of LA
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Successful LA/painless treatment
In advance of LA
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
In advance of LA
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies

Video modelling acclimatisation vs Acclimatisation in clinic (tell-show-do)

Population: Children and adolescents having dental treatment under local anaesthetic without general anaesthesia
7 questions
OutcomeEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Adverse effects
In advance of LA
Adverse effects: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Acceptance of LA
In advance of LA
Acceptance of LA: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Successful LA/painless treatment
In advance of LA
Successful LA/painless treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Pre- and post-operative anxiety measures (Venham's scale)
In advance of LA
MD 0.13 [-0.37, 0.63]1 study · 46 participantsUngraded
Self- or observational assessment of intraoperative distress/pain/acceptance of treatment during provision of LA: pain-related behaviour/co-operation (Frankl scale)
In advance of LA
MD 0.01 [-0.33, 0.35]1 study · 46 participantsVery low
Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision
Patient satisfaction: measured by questionnaires
In advance of LA
Patient satisfaction: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies
Completion of dental treatment
In advance of LA
Completion of dental treatment: included studies did not report on this outcomeNRNo studies