Homoeopathic Medicines in The Management of Dental Anxiety in Paediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Dental anxiety is a common problem in children and is a major cause of avoidance of dental care, poor cooperation and behaviour management difficulties. Pharmacological sedation carries risks and is not always suitable for routine paediatric practice, which has led to interest in safe complementary options. Homoeopathic medicines are widely used for anticipatory anxiety in India, but controlled evidence in the paediatric dental setting is limited. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines compared with placebo in reducing dental anxiety in paediatric patients. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial was conducted at Ekta Dental Clinic, Dindori, Madhya Pradesh. Thirty children aged 6–12 years with baseline anxiety scores indicating at least moderate dental anxiety were randomly allocated (1:1) to a homoeopathic medicine group or a placebo group. Anxiety was assessed before and after the intervention using the Venham Picture Test and the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (faces version), and behaviour was rated using the Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale. Pulse rate was recorded as a physiological measure. Results: Thirty children were randomized (15 per group). The homoeopathic group showed a mean reduction of 3.4 points on the Venham Picture Test (baseline 5.1 ± 1.2; post-intervention 1.7 ± 0.9), while the placebo group showed a mean reduction of 1.2 points (baseline 5.0 ± 1.1; post-intervention 3.8 ± 1.0). The between-group difference was 2.2 points (95% CI: 1.6–2.8; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Homoeopathic medicines produced a statistically significant reduction in dental anxiety in paediatric patients compared with placebo in this exploratory trial. The findings support further investigation of homoeopathic medicines as an adjunct in paediatric dental behaviour management.