NCT06620289

Impact of Dental Desensitization Facilitated by a Child Life Specialist Distress and Cooperation

The Impact of Dental Desensitization Visits Facilitated by a Child Life Specialist on Pediatric Patients' Distress and Cooperation

• Status: Enrolling By Invitation
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 59 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Children's Hospital Colorado · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 2 Years – 25 Years
• Healthy volunteers: —

Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether dental desensitization visits facilitated by a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) significantly impact pediatric patients' distress and cooperation levels from the start of desensitization visit(s) to end of the desensitization visit(s), end of desensitization visit to start of subsequent hygiene appointment, and end of hygiene appointment.

Conditions

• Desensitization
• Dental Anxiety
• Dental Care
• Distress, Emotional
• Cooperation, Patient

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Dental Desensitization Clinic	The goal of offering desensitization visits is to reduce the dental anxiety and distress of patients and enhance their cooperation during future appointments. The specifics of the desensitization are individualized to meet the unique needs of each patient based on information provided by the parent/caregiver. A standard desensitization visit involves providing the patient the opportunity to sit in the exam chair; touch the toothbrush and rubber prophy cup, mouth mirror, fluoride applicator brush, air-water syringe tip and saliva ejector tip; gain exposure to the dental lights and sounds commonly experienced in the dental visit; practice opening their mouth; and tolerate toothbrush and rubber prophy cup, mirror, explorer, fluoride applicator brush, air-water syringe, and salvia ejector in the mouth. If the child is unable or unwilling to participate, these activities are modeled on the parent or by the CCLS.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-08-26
• Primary completion: 2026-05-01
• Completion: 2026-05-01
• First posted: 2024-10-01
• Last updated: 2026-04-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States