Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) in children, is primary barrier in oral health care, associated with crying, muscular tension, avoiding treatment, tantrums and negative thoughts.* In a first of its kind study in India, benefits of having therapy dog to comfort children with anxiety and fear during dental treatment, was studied.
A study conducted with pre and post randomized controlled clinical trial, was conducted on Indian children (n=100) between the age group of 5 to 10 yrs, requiring simple dental procedures, like oral prophylaxix, restorations, pit and fissures sealants and fluoride applications. EG (n=50) underwent dental procedures in the presence of a therapy dog and CG (n=50) dental procedures were performed in the regular dental setting in the absence of the therapy dog. The study used modified faces version of dental anxiety scale, to measure the child’s level of anxiety, before and after the treatment, in both groups. Pulse rate was also measured with the help of pulse oximeter, before, during and after the dental procedure.
Statistical analysis was conducted using unpaired t-test to compare the two conditions. The anxiety measured with the help of modified faces version of the child dental anxiety scale, was found to be seen to be slightly higher in the control group before the treatment (M=22.08, SD=2.320) than the experimental group (M=20.68,SD=3.455) t=2.379, p=0.019*. Anxiety was measured to be significantly higher in the control group after the treatment (M=21.48, SD=2.270) as compared to the experimental group (M=11.98,SD=2.861) t=18.395, P=<0.001
The pulse rate measured in both groups was almost same before the procedure (EG:M=86.12 and CG:M=86.08) t=0.021, p=0.984 and was comparatively higher in the control group (M=104.9) than the experimental group (M=96.07) when measure during the procedure. However the pulse rate measured for the control group after the procedure stayed (M=90.20, SD=9.04) but experimental group measured M=78.44, SD=7.72, t=6.989, p = <0.001
Animal Assisted Interventions is an upcoming field in India, with new applications being tried in the field. This study shows that when applied in the field of pediatric dentistry, it has shown significant results in calming down dental anxiety in children.