Home // ACHI 2016, The Ninth International Conference on Advances in Computer-Human Interactions // View article

Reduction of Dental Anxiety and Pain in Children using Robots

Authors:
Mine Yasemin
Yelda Kasımoğlu
Simin Kocaoglu
Emine Karsli
Elif Bahar Tuna Ince
Gokhan Ince

Keywords: Robotics, dental treatment, WoZ experimentation, human robot interaction, multi-modal interaction, healthcare robotics.

Abstract:
In this study, we aim to use humanoid robots to implement a techno-psychological distraction technique for children between 4-10 years of age in order to reduce their anxiety and stress-related pain during their dental treatment. A multi-modal system supporting audio-based dialogues, videos, gestures and expressions based on face, head, arm, body movements have been developed for a robot. We have employed the Wizard-of-Oz technique, a popular approach in human robot interaction research. The effectiveness of the system is shown by carrying out experiments on two groups of children; one group whose treatment is conducted by the dentist’s own skills alone, the other whose treatment is conducted by a dentist with the assistance of the robot. In order to evaluate the robot’s effect on the anxiety and fear of children during these experiments, procedures with no anesthesia (not requiring the use of needles) have been carried out. The system has been evaluated subjectively by applying a variety of questionnaires to patients, and dentists as well as objectively by measuring patient's heart rates.

Pages: 327 to 332

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2016

Publication date: April 24, 2016

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4138

ISBN: 978-1-61208-468-8

Location: Venice, Italy

Dates: from April 24, 2016 to April 28, 2016