Aromatherapy vs Music Therapy for Anxiety in Children During Dental Radiography

This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of aromatherapy and music therapy onanxiety levels in children undergoing intraoral radiographic examination for the firsttime. Dental anxiety is a common problem in pediatric patients and can negatively impactcooperation and treatment outcomes.Children included in the study will be randomly assigned to four groups: aromatherapy andmusic group, aromatherapy group, music therapy group, or control group. In thearomatherapy group, children will be exposed to a selected essential oil (lavender oil)before the radiographic procedure, while in the music therapy group, children will listento calming music through a speaker. The group receiving both aromatherapy and musictherapy will listen to music while being exposed to the essential oil. The control groupwill receive standard care without any additional intervention.Anxiety levels will be assessed before and after the radiographic procedure using theFacial Imaging Scale (FIS). Simultaneously, pulse rate will be measured before and afterthe procedure using a finger pulse oximeter. The primary aim is to determine whetheraromatherapy, music therapy, or a combination of both is more effective in reducinganxiety compared to the control group.The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of simple,non‐invasive, and cost‐effective methods to improve the comfort and cooperation ofpediatric patients during dental radiographic procedures.