Actively Recruiting
Impact of Therapy Dogs on Child Anxiety and Behavior During Local Anesthesia for Dental Procedures
Led by University of Michigan · Updated on 2025-12-03
25
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
138 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Therapy dogs in dental offices might help anxious children during dental care. Therapy dogs might help children during injection of local anesthetic, when we inject numbing medication before working on the teeth. The goal of this study is to learn if having a therapy dog with a child during the injection of numbing medication helps children to be more comfortable at the dentist's office. This study is of children who need dental care using local anesthesia. Study participant's behavioral reactions and heart rate during injection of local anesthetic with and without having a therapy dog present will be recorded and children and their guardians will be asked a few short questions about the injection and therapy dog after injection.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Impact of Therapy Dogs on Child Anxiety and Behavior During Local Anesthesia for Dental Procedures
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Children aged 4 to 12 years
- Healthy children without significant medical conditions (ASA I or ASA II)
- Scheduled for at least two dental procedures requiring local anesthesia
- Written informed consent from parent or legal guardian
- Verbal assent for children aged 4 to 9 years; written assent for children aged 10 to 12 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Known allergies to dogs or animal dander
- Fear or phobia of dogs
- Behavioral disorders affecting response to therapy dog presence
- Previous dental procedures with local anesthesia in presence of a therapy dog
- Medical conditions affecting vital signs independently of dental procedure (e.g., heart conditions)
- Parental discomfort with therapy dog presence
- Children classified as "Definitely Negative" behavior during dental exam (Frankl 1)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Michigan School of Dentistry Children's Clinic
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
James R Boynton, DDS, MS
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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