The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised-controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To review the effect of lavender scent on anticipatory anxiety in dental participants.


METHODS
In a cluster randomized-controlled trial, patients' (N = 340) anxiety was assessed while waiting for a scheduled dental appointment, either under the odor of lavender or with no odor. Current anxiety, assessed by the brief State Trait Anxiety Indicator (STAI-6), and generalized dental anxiety, assessed by the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) were examined.


RESULTS
Analyses of variance (anovas) showed that although both groups showed similar, moderate levels of generalized dental anxiety (MDAS F((1,338)) = 2.17, P > 0.05) the lavender group reported significantly lower current anxiety (STAI: F((1,338)) = 74.69, P < 0.001) than the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Although anxiety about future dental visits seems to be unaffected, lavender scent reduces state anxiety in dental patients.
Kritsidima
Metaxia
M
King's College London, Dental Institute, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
Newton
Tim
T
Asimakopoulou
Koula
K
D000328:Adult; D019341:Aromatherapy; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000145:classification / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027523:Lavandula; D008297:Male; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000523:psychology; D019246:Tooth Preparation / Q000523:psychology
D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010938:Plant Oils; C045718:lavender oil