Effect of Handheld Game on Children Undergoing Dental Treatment

Aim: Children today are proficient with handheld games. The effect of such devices during dental treatment of children has not been investigated. This study investigated physiologic and behavioral changes in children undergoing dental treatment while playing a handheld game. Methods: Children 4-6 years of age were recruited from pediatric dentistry clinics and randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The Leapster handheld game loaded with “Finding Nemo” was given to the children in the experimental group to play with through their dental appointment. Children in the control group did not receive the device during dental treatment. Heart rate and Frankl Behavior Rating Score was documented for each child at 5 procedural points during the appointment. Children were asked to indicate their disposition on the Wong Baker Scale at the beginning and end of their appointment. The operating dentists reported their ease of communication and engagement with the child. Results: Of 43 children recruited in the study, 19(44.2%) were in the experimental group and 24(55.8%) were in the control group. The mean age of children in both groups was 5 years with no difference in gender. There were no differences in heart rate or Frankl scores between the groups. The post-treatment Wong Baker scores were 4 times higher in the experimental group(p=0.2). The dentists had difficulty engaging and communicating with the child in the experimental group (p=0.0001) and in establishing eye contact with the child (p=0.0001). Conclusion: There were no physiologic or behavioral changes in children who received dental treatment while playing a handheld game. However, the children who played with the game felt happier at the end of their appointment. The dentists experienced difficulty in establishing eye contact and in communicating with the children in the experimental group.