A bite out of anxiety: Evaluation of animal-assisted activity on anxiety in children attending a pediatric dental outpatient unit

Abstract

Background: Anxiety control has been one of the key factors that shows that success of a pediatric dental practice. Animal- Aassisted therapy has shown to have many health benefits, which has brought the animal species closer to our homes with an establishment of a relationship. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare a Anxiety levels of patients scheduled to visit a Private private Ppediatric dDental Hhealth- Ccare Ffacility in Chennai and Ccompare the levels when exposed to animal-assisted activityAAA at the waiting area and in the oOperating area. This study being a first of its kind in the Dental dental Environment environment consisted of 20 children (9 Malemales, 11 Femalefemales), aged 4-–11 years, attending a private dental care facility in Chennai. Results: Results showed that a 15- min exposure in the waiting area has reduced the level of anxiety and also showed no increase in anxiety among the subjectsparticipants. Conclusion: Thus, Pet pet Ttherapy has shown to be a promising method of Anxiety anxiety control, a key to a successful dental practice.

Keywords

• Animal-assisted therapies
• anxiety
• dental anxiety
• pet therapy
• Test Anxiety Scale