Structured Art Therapy Reduces Dental Anxiety in Children, reports research
A study published in Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry evaluated the effectiveness of structured Art Therapy in reducing dental anxiety among pediatric patients. Researchers found that incorporating Art Therapy as a supplementary intervention significantly improved children’s cooperation and reduced anxiety during dental visits.
This approach leverages creative expression-including drawing, coloring, painting, collage, and clay modeling-as a therapeutic modality to engage children and ease procedural stress.
The trial included children undergoing routine dental procedures who were randomly assigned to receive either standard care or structured Art Therapy sessions prior to treatment. Outcomes were assessed using validated dental anxiety scales, observation of behavioral responses, and cooperation metrics.
Children who participated in Art Therapy demonstrated lower anxiety scores, showed fewer signs of distress, and were more cooperative during dental procedures compared with the control group. These findings underscore the potential of Art Therapy to enhance patient experience and treatment efficiency in pediatric dentistry.
The authors highlighted that structured Art Therapy is a low-cost, noninvasive, and easily implementable strategy that complements conventional behavioral management techniques. By reducing anxiety, it may also improve long-term dental attendance and foster positive attitudes toward oral health. The study encourages dental professionals to consider creative, patient-centered interventions to improve pediatric care outcomes. Further research may explore the optimal duration and frequency of Art Therapy sessions and its applicability across diverse clinical settings.
Reference:
Patel, R., Mehra, A., & Sharma, S. (2025). Efficacy of structured Art Therapy interventions on dental anxiety and cooperation in children: A randomized study. Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry. https://doi.org/10.1097/JPD.000000000000015
