Original Research

Influence of Dentist’s Facial Appearance on Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Year: 2025
Volume: 10
Issue: 1
Pages: 47–56

Authors

Shital Kiran D.P¹, Keval Vayeda², Vikram Jhamb³, Nasrin Gori⁴

Corresponding Author

Dr. Keval Vayeda
Email: kevalvayeda16@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Dental anxiety is prevalent among children and can compromise dental care. Children form initial impressions of their dentist based on appearance, which may shape their emotional response. However, little is known about the influence of facial features such as moustache and beard on pediatric dental anxiety.

Aim: To assess and compare anxiety levels in children undergoing dental treatment requiring local anaesthesia, based on whether the treating male dentist had a moustache and beard or was clean-shaven.

Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial involving 32 children aged 6–12 years was conducted. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 (control) received treatment from a clean-shaven male dentist, while Group 2 (experimental) was treated by a male dentist with a moustache and beard (natural or artificial). Anxiety was measured pre- and post-procedure using a pulse oximeter and the Raghavendra, Madhuri, Sujata Pictorial Scale (RMS-PS). Statistical analysis included paired and independent t-tests, with a threshold of p<0.05 for significance.

Results: Both groups showed heightened pulse rate after the procedure, but the increase was more notable in the moustache and beard group. RMS-PS anxiety scores increased post-procedure for the experimental group and decreased for the control group. Intergroup differences in post-procedure anxiety scores were statistically significant (p=0.017).

Conclusion: The presence of a moustache and beard in the treating male dentist was associated with increased post-treatment anxiety in children. This finding highlights the role of dentist appearance in pediatric patient management and underscores the importance of considering non-clinical factors that may impact care.

Keywords

Dentist appearance, Pediatric dentistry, Randomised controlled, Facial hair, Dental Anxiety

How to Cite This Article

Shital et al, Influence of Dentist’s Facial Appearance on Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Pedo Rehab 2025; 10(1):47-56. https://doi.org/10.56501/intjpedorehab.v10i1.1282