Evaluation of the effectiveness of tell-show-do and ask-tell-ask in the management of dental fear and anxiety: a double-blinded randomized control trial

Abstract

Background The objective of behavioral guidance is to establish effective communication that aligns with a child's requirements to manage disruptive behavior. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Tell-Show-Do and Ask-Tell-Ask techniques in managing dental anxiety in children during their initial appointment. Methods The study included 50 children (28 boys and 22 girls) without any prior experience between the ages of 7 and 11 at their first dental visit. The children were randomly categorized into two groups: Group 1, Tell Shows Do, and Group 2, Ask-Tell-Ask. Subsequently, all children underwent noninvasive treatment procedures such as restorations, sealants, and oral prophylaxis. Furthermore, behavioral management techniques were employed based on the allocated group. Finally, anxiety levels for all children were assessed using the Raghavendra, Madhuri, and Sujata Pictorial Scale (RMS-PS) and heart rate at three different intervals (before, during, and after). The obtained data were entered into Microsoft Excel, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. A paired t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test were used to compare the mean and median values of the two groups and determine their effectiveness. Results Children in the TSD group exhibited statistically significant heart rates and RMS-PS scores in intra-group comparisons. However, children in the ask-tell-ask group showed a significant reduction only in the RMS-PS scores (P < 0.001) but not in the measures used to assess heart rate (P < 0.001). Conclusion Tell-Show-Do was more effective than ask-tell-ask in alleviating dental anxiety in children. The simultaneous application of these two strategies can synergistically alleviate dental anxiety during a child’s initial dentist appointment.