Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Management of dental anxiety and fear in children can be challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lavender, chamomile and peppermint aromatherapy in reducing dental anxiety in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 children aged from six to nine years receiving pulp therapy were randomized into four equal groups: a control group with no essential oil inhaled and three experimental groups using lavender, chamomile or peppermint essential oils. Children received aromatherapy through nebulizers. Oxygen saturation (pulse oximeter percentage), pulse rate (manual beat/minute) and dental anxiety (using Animated emoji scale) were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: The difference in before and after measurements in oxygen saturation showed insignificant difference between all groups (P = 0.78). For pulse rate chamomile group (-22.84 ± 5.86) demonstrated significantly the highest decrease (P < 0.001), and for dental anxiety there was significant difference between all groups (P < 0.001), the control group showed an increase in anxiety score (0.04 ± 0.84), while the highest reduction in anxiety score was demonstrated in chamomile group (-2.04 ± 0.79), and lavender group (-1.80 ± 0.91) with insignificant difference between them followed by peppermint group (-0.68 ± 1.31). CONCLUSION: Chamomile aromatherapy reduced dental anxiety levels in children comparable to lavender aromatherapy while peppermint aromatherapy reduced dental anxiety levels but to a lesser extent.