Title
Ylang-ylang and lavender aromatherapy for paediatric dental anxiety: A randomized control trial in first restorative appointment
Authors
Amol N. Patil, Sneha N. Kamble*, Pranali Shelke, Priya Telang, Aishwarya Shelar & Mrunalini Kadam
Affiliation
Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, SMBT Denal College and Hospital, Sangamner, Maharashtra, India; *Corresponding author
Amol N. Patil - E-mail: dramolnpatil@gmail.com
Sneha N. Kamble - E-mail: snehakamble7643@gmail.com
Pranali Shelke - E-mail: pranu1512@gmail.com
Priya Telang - E-mail: priyatelang1@gmail.com
Aishwarya Shelar - E-mail: aishwaryashelar744@gmail.com
Mrunalini Kadam - E-mail: mrunalinikadam3@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received October 1, 2025; Revised October 31, 2025; Accepted October 31, 2025, Published October 31, 2025
Abstract
The safety and effectiveness of Ylang-ylang and Lavender essential oils in reducing anxiety in 6-10-year-old children during their first restorative dental appointment is of interest. Hence, sixty children were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Ylang-ylang, Lavender, or a placebo control, with anxiety measured by pulse rate and the Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale. Both aromatherapy groups showed a significant reduction in anxiety compared to the placebo, and Ylang-ylang specifically led to the greatest physiological calming effect as indicated by a larger decrease in pulse rate. Thus, we show that aromatherapy with either essential oil is a safe and effective non-pharmacological method for managing paediatric dental anxiety, supporting its use in clinical practice to improve children's initial dental experience.
Keywords
Dental anxiety, aromatherapy, lavender essential oil, ylang-ylang essential oil, paediatric dentistry, facial image scale, pulse rate.
Citation
Patil et al. Bioinformation 21(10): 3686-3691 (2025)
Edited by
Neelam Goyal & Shruti Dabi
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
