How dentists' communication affects para-apical anesthesia experiences
Importance of the Type of Communication Used During Paraapical Anesthesia in Dentistry: Randomized Clinical Trial
This trial will test whether hypnotic-style communication versus conventional warnings changes pain and anxiety for adults receiving para-apical dental anesthesia.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 90 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Clermont-Ferrand) |
| Trial ID | NCT06892184 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults requiring para-apical anesthesia at CHU de Clermont-Ferrand will receive either hypnotic communication or conventional preparatory warnings before the injection. The study compares patient-reported pain, anxiety and nocebo-related responses tied to the different communication styles. Standard eligibility and safety exclusions apply and measurements are taken around the time of the procedure to capture immediate effects. Findings aim to show whether simple changes in clinician wording alter patient experience during routine dental anesthesia.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults over 18 who are French-speaking, covered by social security, and scheduled for a para-apical anesthetic at CHU de Clermont-Ferrand are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients in emergency situations or those with medical exclusions (for example uncontrolled epilepsy, anticoagulant therapy, porphyria), pregnant or non–French-speaking patients are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, changing clinician wording could lower pain and anxiety during routine dental injections and improve patient comfort.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research on nocebo effects and therapeutic or hypnotic communication indicates clinician wording can influence pain and anxiety, though application specifically to para-apical dental anesthesia is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female patient over 18 years of age requiring para-apical anesthesia for dental care. * Patient informed of the constraints of the study and having given written consent. * Patient covered by social security. * Patient with a good command of French. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women who may become pregnant. * Patients under 18 years of age. * Patients presenting to the department in an emergency situation (which may increase stress). * Any medical condition deemed by the investigator to be incompatible with the study. * Known hypersensitivity to amide-bonded local anesthetics or to any of the excipients. * Anticoagulant treatment or known blood crase disorders. * Porphyrias. * Atrioventricular conduction disorders requiring permanent electrosystolic training not yet performed. * Epilepsy not controlled by treatment. * Patient uncooperative, unable to speak or read French fluently, unable to understand the principle of a pain scale, unable to understand the study or unable to sign informed consent. * Patients under guardianship, curatorship or deprived of liberty. * Patients premedicated with anxiolytics * Care requiring anesthesia other than para-apical anesthesia * Patient highly anxious about dental treatment (Score ≥15 on Corah scale)
Where this trial is running
Clermont-Ferrand
- CHU de Clermont-Ferrand — Clermont-Ferrand, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Céline Melin — University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand
- Study coordinator: Lise Laclautre
- Email: promo_interne_drci@chu-clermontferrand.fr
- Phone: 334.73.754.963
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.