Ylang-ylang and lavender aromatherapy for paediatric dental anxiety: A randomized control trial in first restorative appointment

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.