Effect of Aromatherapy versus Audiovisual Distraction on pain and anxiety of children undergoing Dental Extraction

Background: Dental pain and anxiety have a negative influence on children undergoing dental extraction. Applying pain management techniques such as aromatherapy and audiovisual distraction can lead to an improvement in their quality of life. The study aimed at investigating the effect of aromatherapy versus audiovisual distraction on pain and anxiety of children undergoing dental extraction. The design of the current study was a quasi-experimental research design. Setting: The study was conducted at dental care unit at faculty of dentistry of Tanta University. The sample of the recent study comprised of 60 children (20 control group, 20 for aromatherapy, and 20 for audiovisual therapy) and was chosen randomly using simple random sampling technique. Tools that were adopted in the current study were a structured interview schedule, Frankl Behavior Rating Scale, RMS Pictorial Scale, and FLACC Scale. Results: the scores of participated children's Frankl Behavior Rating Scale, RMS Pictorial Anxiety Scale and FLACC Pain Scale were lowered during tooth extraction in lavender group than audiovisual and control group. The study concluded that both interventions either lavender oil inhalation or audiovisual distraction resulted in a reduction in the level of pain and anxiety of children undergoing dental extraction, but lavender oil inhalation was more effective. The study recommended that educational training programs should be conducted for dental team, about the application of aromatherapy and audiovisual distraction during dental extraction.