Effect of Play Dough, Slime, and Plush Toys on Dental Anxiety and Pain in Children During Dental Treatment

Dental anxiety in children remains a significant challenge in pediatric dentistry, often leading to behavioral management difficulties, delayed treatment, and negative long-term attitudes toward dental care. Non-pharmacological behavioral management strategies, including distraction techniques, are widely recommended to reduce anxiety and improve cooperation during dental procedures. Tactile distraction methods such as play dough, slime, and plush toys may provide sensory engagement that helps shift the child's attention away from dental stimuli; however, comparative evidence regarding their effectiveness remains limited. This randomized controlled clinical study was designed to evaluate the relative effectiveness of different tactile distraction materials during routine pediatric dental treatment. Children aged 6-10 years requiring restorative dental treatment under local anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of four groups: play dough, slime, plush toy distraction, or a control group without distraction. Standardized clinical procedures were applied to all participants under similar clinical conditions. Psychological responses were assessed using validated dental anxiety and pain perception scales, while physiological stress responses were monitored using heart rate measurements and salivary cortisol analysis. The study aims to provide evidence on whether simple, low-cost tactile distraction tools can enhance patient comfort, reduce perceived anxiety and pain, and support non-pharmacological behavior management approaches in pediatric dental practice.