To Compare and Evaluate the Effectiveness of Three Different Distraction Methods in Combating Children\'s Dental Anxiety and Fear by Assessing Psychological and Physiological Parameters: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Oral health forms an essential component of a child's overall growth and development, influencing not only physical well-being but also social confidence, speech, and psychological stability.However, despite the recognized importance of oral health, dental fear and anxiety continue to pose significant challenges in pediatric dentistry, often acting as barriers to timely and effective oral healthcare.Children who are fearful of dental treatment are more likely to avoid or delay visits, leading to progression of caries, pain, infection, and ultimately a decline in oral and systemic health. 1 Traditional approaches to managing child behavior and anxiety-such as Tell-Show-Do, positive reinforcement, or desensitization-have been foundational for decades.However, with evolving perspectives in child psychology, there has been a paradigm shift toward methods that are empathetic, minimally invasive, and emphasize patient comfort.Nonpharmacological interventions are preferred in most pediatric dental settings 1-4,