DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/WCRS-KN65

Defense Date

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Dentistry

Department

Dentistry

First Advisor

William Dahlke

Second Advisor

Caroline Carrico

Third Advisor

Patrice Wunsch

Abstract

USE OF EMOJI IN PAIN LEVEL ASSESSMENT IN PEDIATRIC DENTAL PATIENTS

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of a pain scale with Emoji images in comparison to the commonly used Wong-Baker FACES® pain scale. Methods: Healthy, English-speaking patients aged 4-17 presenting to the VCU Pediatric Dental clinic and the operating room and presenting to the MCV Pediatric Emergency Room were asked to rate their pain using the Wong-Baker FACES® and Emoji scales. These patients were then asked to select which pain scale they preferred. Results: A total of 151 children were enrolled in the study. The proposed Emoji scale was preferred by 86% of enrolled children (n=151). Children rated their pain the same on the two scales 78% of the time indicating a weak overall agreement between the two scales as defined by Cohen’s Kappa (k=0.5863, 95% CI: 0.47-0.70). In the instances of disagreement, 82% were within one image on the pain scale. There was a roughly even split between which scale corresponded to the higher pain level (56% Wong-Baker was higher and 44% Emoji was rated higher). Conclusions: A majority of the patients surveyed presented with no pain. The Emoji scale showed moderate agreement with the Wong-Baker FACES scale. A majority of the patients preferred the Emoji scale demonstrating the strong communicative utility of Emoji.

Rights

© Manpreet Kaur Dhillon D.D.S., April 2019

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-7-2019

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