Researchers have found in a new study that lavender-neroli aromatherapy was a safe, inexpensive, and effective complementary approach for lowering anxiety and discomfort in children undergoing dental anesthesia. The findings, published in Medical Sciences by Rama Abdalhai, Yasser Alsayed Tolibah, Racha Alkhatib, Chaza Kouchaji, and Ziad D. Baghdadi, highlight how simple, non-pharmacological interventions can improve pediatric dental experiences and support overall patient comfort. Dental procedures often trigger anxiety in children, which can affect cooperation, procedural success, and long-term attitudes toward oral care. Aromatherapy, as a calming and low-risk intervention, provides an accessible method to ease these challenges.
The randomized controlled trial included children scheduled for dental procedures under local anesthesia, who were randomly assigned to either receive lavender–neroli aromatherapy or standard care. Researchers evaluated anxiety and pain levels using validated pediatric scales and observed that the aromatherapy group showed significant reductions in both measures. These effects are likely related to the aromatic compounds’ influence on the limbic system, which modulates mood and stress responses. The study underscores that integrating aromatherapy into clinical settings is feasible, low-cost, and well-received by children and their caregivers, offering a valuable adjunct to conventional behavioral and pharmacological approaches.
The authors conclude that lavender–neroli aromatherapy can be considered a practical complementary strategy to enhance pediatric dental care. By reducing anxiety and discomfort, it may improve procedural outcomes, enhance patient cooperation, and foster positive experiences that encourage regular dental visits. The study also highlights the broader potential of aromatherapy in pediatric and procedural medicine, emphasizing safe, patient-friendly interventions that complement traditional care. Further research could explore long-term effects, optimal administration methods, and potential applications in other pediatric medical settings.
Keywords: pediatric dental anxiety, aromatherapy, lavender, neroli, complementary therapy, pain reduction, Medical Sciences, Rama Abdalhai, Yasser Alsayed Tolibah, Racha Alkhatib, Chaza Kouchaji, Ziad D. Baghdadi, randomized controlled trial
Reference: Abdalhai R, Tolibah YA, Alkhatib R, Kouchaji C, Baghdadi ZD. Lavender–Neroli Aromatherapy for Reducing Dental Anxiety and Pain in Children During Anesthesia: A Two-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.
Med Sci. 2025;13(3):166. doi:
10.3390/medsci13030166 .
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