Effectiveness of Dog‐Assisted Support to Promote Compliance and Home Oral Hygiene Activities in Disabled Patients: A Randomised Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT Objective Dental anxiety is a negative emotional reaction that can have a negative impact on oral health. Structured animal‐assisted services (AAS) involve trained dogs to promote positive behaviours during treatments that may otherwise cause anxiety in the patient. It has been proved that AAS used even for a short time can significantly reduce stress markers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of home oral hygiene using AAS in patients with disabilities. Methods The study was a randomised clinical trial. The participants were randomised into two groups. In group A the oral hygiene session was performed with the presence of a trained therapy dog; in group B it was carried out in a regular dental setup. Patients included in the study were between 5 and 16 years old; disabled; non‐collaborating or with limited collaboration; with scarce oral hygiene. Plaque control record (PCR) pre, post oral hygiene procedures, and the patient's feelings were recorded. Results Eighty patients were included in the study. Comparison of PCR at T1 between groups shows a statistically significant difference ( p < 0.001) with a higher decrease in this index for patients in group A. Regarding the emotional state of patients, the statistical test shows a higher frequency ( p = 0.002) of responses ‘happy,’ ‘interested,’ and ‘calm’ in the group of patients who performed the oral hygiene procedures with the assistance of dogs. Conclusions AAS can be a useful option to improve the emotional state and performance of oral hygiene in paediatric subjects with disabilities, helping to optimise patient care.