Adolescent Orthodontic Anxiety: Multimedia vs. Written Education Effects

Posted: September 25, 2025
A recent study conducted at Adıyaman University's Faculty of Dentistry delved into the impact of multimedia versus written educational materials on adolescents' anxiety levels, dental fear, and pain perception before commencing orthodontic treatment. The randomized trial involved individuals aged 14-18, split into groups receiving either an 8-minute multimedia video or written information before their orthodontic bonding appointment. Interestingly, the results showed no significant variance in anxiety, fear, or pain scores between the two groups both pre- and post-education. However, while anxiety levels remained stable, fear scores decreased notably after the educational session for all participants.

Despite the lack of discernible differences in anxiety and fear outcomes between the multimedia and written education groups, an intriguing finding emerged. The multimedia information group displayed a reduction in the number of questions posed to clinicians during the treatment session, potentially indicating a more streamlined communication process and shorter chair time. Notably, only the multimedia education group showed significant sex-related differences before the treatment session, suggesting a nuanced impact of educational formats on patient engagement and interaction based on gender.

This study sheds light on the nuanced effects of different educational modalities on adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment. While anxiety levels remained steady regardless of the educational format, the reduction in fear scores post-education highlights the potential for multimedia materials to enhance patient understanding and engagement. The observed decrease in questions posed by patients who received multimedia education suggests a practical benefit in optimizing communication and potentially streamlining clinical workflows.

This article summary was generated by AI. To view the full article, click the link here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40984699/

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