The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomised‐controlled trial

Kritsidima M, Newton T, Asimakopoulou K. The effects of lavender scent on dental patient anxiety levels: a cluster randomized‐controlled trial. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 83–87. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Objectives: 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 ( anova s) 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.