Soothing Scents: Essential Oils Show Promise in Easing Dental Anxiety
A recent study explored the effects of essential-oil vaporization in dental practices, revealing that it significantly reduces acute anxiety, especially in women and those with high trait anxiety. The findings suggest aromatherapy as a cost-effective, safe, and beneficial strategy for managing dental fear and anxiety.
Dental fear and anxiety (DFA) pose significant challenges in oral healthcare, often leading to patients avoiding professional dental services. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of essential-oil vaporization on reducing acute anxiety in dental patients. Four dental practices participated, using five weekly cycles of vaporization with different essential oils, including orange (Citrus sinensis), swiss pine (Pinus cembra), and blended scents like “Good Mood” and “Forest Walk.” The primary outcome measured was acute anxiety using the state-trait anxiety inventory (a common evaluation for anxiety), while secondary outcomes included trait anxiety, dental anxiety, and pain perception during treatment. State anxiety is a temporary emotional reaction characterized by feelings of tension and worry. In contrast, trait anxiety is a personality characteristic that determines how likely someone is to feel state anxiety in stressful situations.
Across all 486 patients, the intervention groups exhibited slightly lower acute anxiety levels compared to the control group, though the difference was not statistically significant. Notably, post-hoc analyses revealed significant anxiety reduction in women and in patients with high trait anxiety.
These results suggest that essential-oil vaporization may effectively alleviate dental anxiety, particularly in specific subgroups. Dental practice staff also reported anecdotal benefits, noting a positive impact on the overall atmosphere and mood in the clinic. Given the favorable cost-effectiveness and ease of application, aromatherapy is recommended as part of anxiety-reduction strategies in dental practices. Future research should employ multi-method approaches, include dental office staff as participants, and focus on larger populations to further validate these findings and explore the long-term effects of essential-oil vaporization. Click here to read the study.
