The Role of Aromatherapy in the Management of Dental Anxiety in Paediatric Patients: A Narrative Review
Henrique Costa dos Santos *
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Millena Fernandes Silva Muniz
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Callebe Carneiro de Melo
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Amanda Neves Magalhães
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Lívia Fialho Alcântara
Postgraduate Program in Dentistry at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (UFVJM), Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study is to carry out a narrative review of the use of aromatherapy in the management of paediatric dental patients, analyzing its advantages, benefits and applicability in relation to dental anxiety, since this practice is low-cost, accessible and has minimal adverse effects.
Study Design: The study consists of a narrative review through an electronic search of evaluated and unevaluated clinical trials that evaluated aromatherapy as a mechanism for reducing anxiety during pediatric dental care, compared to control (no aromatherapy), other positive control approaches (such as music, games, audiovisual distraction) or pharmacological approaches. Clinical trials were searched in the SciELO, PubMed and Virtual Health Library (BVS) databases, using the descriptors Aromatherapy AND Pediatric Dentistry, published between 2018 and 2025, which were available in full text format, without predicting the language of publication, without country restrictions and within the researched theme. Studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded.
Results: The electronic search found 11 studies available in the literature. After reading the titles and abstracts, 04 studies were excluded that did not meet the pre-established inclusion criteria or that did not meet the objective of this review. Therefore, 07 clinical trials were read in full and added to the literature base that supported this study. This evidence shows the benefits of aromatherapy as a complementary alternative in the treatment of pediatric dentistry patients and presents overwhelming results in the management of anxiety and patient behavior.
Conclusion: Aromatherapy is an important alternative in managing anxiety in pediatric dentistry patients, being safe, of good applicability and low cost. It is suggested that new robust studies be developed that further emphasize the technique, aiming at the benefits of the practice.
Keywords: Aromatherapy, anxiety, pediatric dentistry, child, essential oils