Use of aromatherapy to control anxiety during pediatric dental care

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the anxiolytic capacity of Lavandula angustifólia essential oil as a potential complementary agent for managing child behavior through different methods during pediatric dental treatment, with and without infiltrative anesthesia. Materials and methods: Fifty-three participants underwent dental procedures with or without infiltrative anesthesia and comprised the following sample sets: Group 1, without anesthesia; Group 2, without anesthesia associated with placebo; Group 3, without anesthesia associated with aromatherapy (air diffusion); Group 4, with anesthesia; Group 5, with anesthesia associated with placebo; Group 6, with anesthesia associated with aromatherapy (air diffusion); Group 7, without anesthesia associated with aromatherapy (inhalation); Group 8, with anesthesia associated with aromatherapy (inhalation). Heart beats per minute (BPM), Frankl scale and a questionnaire answered by the participant were evaluated. Statistical analysis was applied (α=5%). Results: Group 4 showed a statistically significant difference in the Frankl scale compared to the other sample sets (p=0.009). In Group 3, the BPM variation was smaller than the initial BPM (r=-0.708; p=0.022), different from the variation in BPM in Groups 6 (r=-0.752; p=0.012) and 7 (r=-0.722; p=0.018). Discussion: The groups in which anesthesia was used showed worse results regarding behavior, questionnaire, and final BPM. Although air diffusion and inhalation (cupped hand) present the same mechanism of action, the exposure time proved relevant. Conclusion: Aromatherapy reduced the heart rate per minute in children undergoing dental treatment without infiltrative anesthesia.