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Do Therapy Dogs Improve Behavior and Reduce Anxiety in Pediatric Dental Patients?
Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to assess whether the presence of a certified therapy dog during dental procedures that require an injection reduces anxiety and improves behavior in pediatric dental patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the presence of a certified therapy dog during dental procedure requiring an injection reduce anxiety and improve behavior in pediatric dental patients? * How do the parents of pediatric dental patients who participate in the study view the use of a certified therapy dog in their child's treatment? * Does the presence of a certified therapy dog result in different concentrations of microbes in the treatment room? All participants will receive standard of care. Researchers will compare the group with a therapy dog present to a group who does not have a therapy dog present to see if heart rate, oxygen saturation, percentage of nitrous oxide administered, and Frankl scores differ between the groups.
Official title: Do Certified Therapy Dogs Improve Behavior and Reduce Anxiety in Children Who Receive Administration of a Local Anesthetic for Dental Procedures? A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
3 Years - 7 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
70
Start Date
2023-09-13
Completion Date
2026-06-01
Last Updated
2026-01-12
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Therapy Dog
Certified, volunteer therapy dogs and their handlers will be present in the room during procedures in the experimental arm to see if their presence reduces anxiety and improves behavior in pediatric dental patients.
Locations (1)
Medical University of South Carolina Pediatric Dental Clinic
Charleston, South Carolina, United States