Effects of audiovisual distraction in children with Down syndrome during dental restorations: a randomised clinical trial

Aim To evaluate the effect of audiovisual distraction on the dental chairside behaviour of children with Down syndrome (DS) during dental restorations and its influence on the operator stress and the duration of the appointment. Materials and Methods Study design: This randomised controlled trial included 48 children with DS requiring dental restorations. The study group was treated while wearing video eyeglasses, the control group with conventional behaviour management techniques. The child behaviour was evaluated using the revised Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, Consolability scale (r-FLACC) and the Frankl scale. The operator stress was evaluated using a VAS scale and the duration of the appointment was recorded. Results In the study group 64% of the children refused to wear the video eyeglasses during the whole duration of the dental treatment, the median r-FLACC score was significantly higher (p=0.01552; Mann Whitney U test) and significantly more children showed a negative behaviour (68%vs 30%: p=0.011; Chi-square test). Conclusion Audiovisual distraction using video eyeglasses is not useful in managing the dental chairside behaviour of children with DS.