The Academy of General Dentistry (5/26) shared that a study in General Dentistry explored the use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to manage dental anxiety in children. Two pediatric patients with severe dental anxiety showed significant improvements in behavior and reduced stress levels during dental procedures when AAT was used. The therapy involved the presence of trained dogs, which helped decrease salivary cortisol levels, indicating lower stress. The study suggests AAT as a promising noninvasive technique for improving pediatric dental care experiences, although further research is needed to address biosafety concerns and establish its efficacy in dentistry.
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