Should parents stay or go? study tests how parental presence affects kids' dental fear
NCT ID NCT05125731
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looked at 72 children aged 4-7 who had never been to the dentist and needed a filling. Kids were randomly assigned to have a parent present, absent, or watching behind glass during treatment. Researchers measured anxiety using questionnaires, heart rate, and oxygen levels, and videotaped behavior. The goal is to understand how parental presence influences a child's dental anxiety and cooperation.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could help dentists decide whether to have parents in the room to reduce children's dental anxiety.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed trial with 72 children, so results may not apply to all kids or dental settings. It measures anxiety through questionnaires and heart rate, not long-term outcomes.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Faculty of Dentistry
Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
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