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

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study tests whether having a therapy dog present during dental procedures can reduce anxiety and improve behavior in children aged 4–12 who need local anesthesia (numbing injections) at the dentist. **You may be eligible if...** - Child aged 4–12 years - Generally healthy (no significant medical conditions) - Scheduled for at least two dental procedures requiring local anesthesia - Parent or guardian has provided written consent **You may NOT be eligible if...** - Child has a significant medical condition that increases anesthesia risk - Child or parent has a dog allergy - Child has a severe behavioral or developmental condition that prevents participation - Only one dental procedure is needed (at least two are required) Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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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.

Locations(1)

University of Michigan School of Dentistry Children's Clinic

Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

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