Atesci, Alp AbidinKorkut Isik, BuseYilmaz, Dilek OzgeGergit, BerkKilic, Munevver CoruhOncag, Rustu Ozant2026-01-312026-01-3120250960-74391365-263Xhttps://doi.org./10.1111/ipd.70048https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12662/10726Background: Pain and anxiety during dental procedures remain major challenges in pediatric dentistry, particularly during local anesthesia administration. Aim: This study compared the effectiveness of digital anesthesia systems versus conventional infiltration and mandibular block techniques in managing pain, anxiety, and behavioral responses in pediatric dental patients. Design: Seventy-nine children aged 6-12 were randomly assigned to receive anesthesia via digital anesthesia system (DAS), infiltration, or mandibular block. Pain was assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFRPS), anxiety via the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS), and behavioral responses through the FLACC scale. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Results: Children in the DAS group reported significantly lower pain scores during needle insertion, anesthetic delivery, and treatment. Post-treatment MCDAS scores decreased significantly in the DAS group, especially for items related to tooth examination, filling, and gingival injection. FLACC results also indicated more favorable behavioral responses-such as relaxed facial expressions and absence of crying-in the digital group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Digital anesthesia appears to be a highly effective alternative to conventional techniques for minimizing pain, reducing dental anxiety, and improving behavioral cooperation in pediatric patients, supporting its broader implementation in clinical practice.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessanxietycomputer-controlled injectiondigital anesthesiaFLACCMCDASpainpediatric dentistryWong-bakerArticle10.1111/ipd.700482-s2.0-10501978843141137566Q1WOS:001600917600001Q2