RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06725134

Impact of Therapy Dogs on Child Anxiety and Behavior During Local Anesthesia for Dental Procedures

Impact of Therapy Dogs on Anxiety and Behavior of Pediatric Dental Patients During Local Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Sponsor

University of Michigan

Enrollment

25 participants

Start Date

Nov 1, 2024

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Behavior Situational Anxiety

Summary

Therapy dogs in dental offices might help anxious children during dental care. Therapy dogs might help children during injection of local anesthetic, when we inject numbing medication before working on the teeth. The goal of this study is to learn if having a therapy dog with a child during the injection of numbing medication helps children to be more comfortable at the dentist's office. This study is of children who need dental care using local anesthesia. Study participant's behavioral reactions and heart rate during injection of local anesthetic with and without having a therapy dog present will be recorded and children and their guardians will be asked a few short questions about the injection and therapy dog after injection.

Eligibility

Min Age: 4 YearsMax Age: 12 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Age range: children aged 4- to 12-years
Health status: healthy children without significant medical conditions (ASA I or ASA II)
Dental procedure: children scheduled for at least two dental procedures requiring local anesthesia
Consent: written informed consent from the parent or legal guardian
Verbal assent from potential subjects age 4-9 years; written assent for children age 10-12 years

Exclusion Criteria7

Allergies: children with known allergies to dogs or animal dander
Children with a fear or phobia of dogs
Children with a behavioral disorder which may negatively impact response to the presence of a therapy dog
Previous exposure: children who have previously undergone dental procedures with local anesthesia in the presence of a therapy dog
Medical conditions: children with medical conditions that might affect their vital signs independently of the dental procedure (e.g., heart conditions)
Parental discomfort: cases where parents are uncomfortable with the presence of a therapy dog during the procedure
Advanced behavior guidance is indicated: children whose behavior for dental examination is classified as "Definitely Negative" (Frankl 1)

Interventions

BEHAVIORALTherapy dog presence

A trained therapy dog will be present during the child's dental appointment. The dog will be in the operatory as the child enters the room and will lie on the child during injection of local anesthesia.

BEHAVIORALStandard-of-care basic behavior guidance

Basic behavior guidance as defined by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry includes strategies to help children cope through potentially stressful dental procedures. These strategies include tell-show-do, positive reinforcement, parental presence, and nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia, among others.