Dental fear and anxiety are relatively common conditions among patients that are characterized by stress reactions to upcoming or ongoing treatment activities.
According to some estimates, more than 15% of patients experience dental anxiety, meaning they are more likely to skip regular dental visits and avoid treatment, resulting in dental health problems. Additionally, during dental procedures, these patients may feel extreme nervous tension that lowers treatment outcomes, making the patient less cooperative.
Previously, we described various approaches aimed at decreasing dental anxiety in patients, including patient education and some psychological tricks. However, modern dentistry has much more to offer for that purpose. Thus, in recent times, methodologies interacting with the sense systems have become more popular, especially aromatherapy and music therapy. Flavors and sounds, affecting the corresponding organs, cooperate with our nervous system and, therefore, can significantly decrease stress levels using deep physiological mechanisms of the human body.
We collected a bunch of research papers regarding the topics to explain to you how it exactly works and why it's effective. To get more inspiration for aroma- and music-therapy implementation in dental practice, we asked our client – Dr. Mohamed Minshad from the Walkway Dental Centre, who effectively used this approach in his facility.
How does it work?
Essential oil (EO) inhalation via the olfactory system can effectively regulate human mood, making our brain produce neurotransmitters – for instance, serotonin and dopamine. Although the molecular nature of this effect remains unclear, many papers report that EO alters the autonomic nervous system work, affecting blood pressure, muscle tone, pulse rate, and brain activity. Typically, this effect is achieved after 15 minutes of inhalation, quickly increasing emotional well-being.
Music therapy, in turn, has an even more solid effect on the human autonomic nervous system, providing a similar list of physiological and psychological benefits. Additionally, music suppresses the sympathetic nervous system, inhibiting the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline and thus lowering levels of neuromuscular arousal. Music therapy is an ancient technique (that takes root in the Pythagoras times), a well-studied and evidence-based approach applied in various medical fields, including oncology, surgery, etc.
Dr. Mohamed stresses the importance of managing dental anxiety to improve treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction, so we need to use all possible existing working approaches:
"As a dentist, I realized that dental anxiety and patient experience were areas that needed a fundamental shift. To address this, we innovated or "hacked" the traditional dental care model by incorporating experiential dentistry.
We combined technology, sensory engagement, and a deep focus on patient well-being to redefine how dentistry is perceived and delivered."
Healing notes
Aroma- and music therapies are widely used in the dental field to reduce anxiety in patients during treatment.
Thus, research demonstrates that calm and lyric-free music significantly reduces dental fear before and during procedures. It's important to start music therapy as soon as the patient arrives at the clinic; for instance, you can put speakers outside the dental cabinet to "synchronize" the musical atmosphere in your facility, causing a prolonged effect on the patient's nervous system.
Dr. Mohamed mastered this technique in Walkway Dental Centre, adding experimental nature sounds to his therapy playlists:
"Subtle, nature-inspired music and instrumental soundscapes play softly throughout the clinic via speakers. We set a volume at an ambient level where it's not overtly noticeable until one tune in — creating an omnipresent yet gentle auditory backdrop. Instrumental and nature-based soundscapes have proven most effective in managing dental anxiety. Our patients particularly enjoy soft classical music, piano melodies, and the soothing sounds of nature."
Effectiveness assessments of this approach are impressive. Thus, research revealed that after dental treatment accompanied by music, patients reported:
- 92% of participants – reduced anxiety levels/pain/discomfort.
- 48% – music helped to improve communication quality between treatment parties.
- 90% – would request to play music during subsequent treatments.
Importance of aromas
The market offers various scents, from bamboo and peppermint to rose and wormwood – still, many of them are very specific, so it's better to choose soft and mild aromas – research, for instance, highlights lavender and orange essential oils as the most popular in anxiety management practices. Additionally, some studies revealed the particular effectiveness of lavender essential oil mixed with neroli in reducing anxiety levels in children. However, recently, German scientists found evidence that oil mixes have less effect on the human nervous system than oils with a single component.
Empirically, Dr. Mohamed found his favorite aroma and established it as a visit card of his clinics:
"Our signature scent was specially crafted by the legendary Dubai perfumer, Yusufbhai, renowned for his unparalleled skill in the art of perfumery. This fragrance features a base note of ylang-ylang, revered in aromatherapy for its calming, anti-anxiety qualities.
Through meticulous customization, it was infused with a fresh, breezy touch, evoking the essence of a gentle, moonlit night after rainfall. Perfecting this unique scent required numerous trials and months of refinement, drawing inspiration from my cherished childhood memories of ylang-ylang blossoms at my home, carried by a soft breeze on a rainy night."
The ylang-ylang plant is not only a source of fascinating aromas – its essential oils and extracts are well-known for their anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antibiofilm features. Additionally, ylang-ylang contains a list of monoterpene, sesquiterpenes, and phenylpropanoids – compounds that can effectively manage symptoms of chronic pain conditions and mood disorders. Therefore, this essential oil is a perfect liquid for dental aromatherapy due to its potential pain-relieving effect in addition to anxiolytic features.
Technical equipment
Almost every mentioned aromatherapy research paper contains a note that the therapy session was accompanied by music. Thus, you definitely need good speakers – ideally, a stereo system to reach the surround sound – inside and, preferably, outside your dental cabinet so patients can get used to your clinic atmosphere since they set foot in your clinic.
For inhalation of essential oils, dentists can use special nasal inhalators that can be worn during the procedure or a more practical approach – diffusers that fill the room with scents. Dr. Mohamed prefers the letter, and, as in the case of music, he spreads the ylang-ylang aromas over the clinic:
"We utilize aroma diffusers to evenly disperse the scent throughout our clinic. Occasionally, we enhance this with a humidifier to create a sensation akin to the wet, refreshing air of a rainy night."
Technological Advancements
Working together, olfactory and auditory systems can effectively manage patients' moods; still, we can involve one more sensory channel – vision. Modern VR/AR sets can effectively manage dental anxiety and pain, and currently, many scientists are researching the clinical use of this approach. The technology affects the sense of presence, distracting patients' attention from dental equipment and tools that may cause direct associations with dental fear.
Dr. Mohamed uses this approach in addition to the aroma- and music therapies, enhancing their anti-stress effect:
"Using AI and VR, we designed patient-centric solutions that simulate calming virtual environments, reducing stress and enhancing comfort during procedures. We find it a sort of virtual sedation. The integration of aromatherapy further amplified the relaxation effect, creating a multi-sensory experience. These efforts transformed what was once a routine or anxiety-inducing visit into an engaging and calming experience, setting new standards for premium dental care in the Emirates.
This unconventional approach bridged the gap between high-quality treatment and patient comfort, effectively redefining the user experience in dental care and establishing our practice as a leader in wellness-oriented dentistry."
Moreover, VR/AR technology has another application in order to decrease dental anxiety – patient education and treatment presentation. Remedico VR software uses this approach, allowing doctors to schematically demonstrate the process of the upcoming procedure to the patient. Thus, dentists can explain to their clients where the dental problem is and what exactly they need to do to solve it.
Recently, we comprehensively reviewed this methodology in our article – take a look at our insights!
