The effect of music and aromatherapy on dental anxiety and fear in children

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is; to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy and music therapy, which are contemporary behavior guidance methods, on dental anxiety and fear in children. METHOD: The study was conducted between March 2023 and June 2023 with the participation of 80 child patients aged 6-8 who applied to the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Altınbaş University Faculty of Dentistry. Children were divided into four groups, each consisting of 20 patients, including aromatherapy, music, aromatherapy+music, and a control group. For each group, Facial Image Scale (FIS), Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (CDAS), and Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale-Faces (MCDS-f) were measured and recorded along with pulse rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, and blood pressure values before and after dental procedures. RESULTS: In the aromatherapy group, a statistically significant decrease was observed in FIS, MCDAS-f, and CDAS values; in the music group, a statistically significant decrease was observed in FIS, MCDAS-f, CDAS, oxygen saturation, and systolic blood pressure; and in the aromatherapy + music group, a statistically significant decrease was detected in FIS, MCDAS-f, CDAS, pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and systolic blood pressure values (p<0.05). In the control group, while FIS, MCDAS-f, and CDAS values remained unchanged, there was a statistically significant increase in oxygen saturation and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05). Body temperature values increased significantly in all groups except for the aromatherapy group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Aromatherapy and music applications have been found effective in reducing dental anxiety and fear in children when applied during dental procedures. While music was found to be more effective than aromatherapy, the combination of both was identified as the most effective method.