Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of choosing the taste of a fluoride varnish on the behavior and acceptance of the children during the dental visit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (NCT05285228) involved 70 healthy children aged 5-10 years who presented for a dental recall visit including the indication of an application of fluoride varnish to the specialized pediatric university dental service. The control group received the fluoride varnish (Profluorid varnish, VOCO Germany) with an allocated taste, whereas the test group had to choose the taste of the fluoride varnish just before the dental check-up. RESULTS: The vast majority of the children (n = 53, 75.7%) felt happy/very happy (Facial image scale) regarding the taste of the fluoride varnish, with no significant difference between both groups (p = 0.188). Dental behavior (Frankl behavior rating scale) was assessed generally as positive/definitely positive (n = 58, 82.2%). Interestingly, children with a history of previous negative dental behavior in the test group showed a tendency of more positive behavior than in the control group (66.6% vs. 33.4%, p = 0.244). CONCLUSION: Sense of control performed via choosing the flavor of the fluoride varnish increases the chance for positive behavior during the dental visit, especially in children with a history of negative dental behavior. Concurrently, it improves the child's taste acceptance, which is important for dental caries prevention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol was registered on Cli ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05285228).