Have you ever heard about therapy dogs at the dentist? It sounds crazy, right? But it’s actually true, as parents may no longer need to worry about taking their anxious child to the dentist.
Therapy dogs are proving to be the perfect companions to keep children calm during dental visits. Yes! Many pediatric dental clinics have embraced therapy dogs and have seen fantastic results.
From the initial greeting and onboarding process to the procedure itself and the final farewell, therapy dogs help create a positive experience, ensuring both parent and child leave the clinic feeling at ease.
In this article, you can read more about:
- Why and how are therapy dogs being accepted into pediatric dental clinics?
- What are the benefits for parents?
- How can children feel better from having therapy dogs in the dental clinic?
How are therapy dogs entering pediatric dental clinics?
Children often experience such an intense fear around their dental procedures that attending an appointment becomes overwhelming. Dental anxiety is a global issue (don’t try to tell us you’ve never felt it), creating a significant barrier to successful treatment and negatively impacting long-term oral and overall health.
With the increasing prevalence of digital distractions among young people, who spend more and more time on screens, keeping a child still in the dentist’s chair has become even more challenging. In contrast, therapy dogs offer a modern, effective solution to ease patient anxiety and create a more comfortable environment for successful dental treatment.
What do studies say about therapy dogs?
According to different studies, animal-assisted therapy is a great and effective method for reducing children’s fear of dental visits. One study suggests that between 5 and 20 percent of children experience dental anxiety. Therapy dogs may be the key to alleviating this stress.
In another study, 102 children between 5 and 10 years were observed during a routine dental check-up, and participants were divided into two groups. Group A had a therapy dog present, while Group B did not. Researchers monitored pulse rates and anxiety levels, finding that children in the therapy dog group exhibited significantly lower stress and greater cooperation during their appointments. So now you know it: therapy dogs are really helping during dental visits!
How do dogs help parents?
Every parent wants the best for their child, especially regarding their health and well-being. We know that it is inevitable that children will encounter discomfort or pain at some point in their lives. Anyhow, we never like it when our kids suffer.
Parents must balance their instinct to protect their child with the reality that some situations, such as dental visits, can be stressful but necessary. This is why therapy dogs may be an effective assistant to calm the nerves from the parent and their child – and many times, the dentist – during the dental procedure.
Are therapy dogs beneficial for parents, too?
The dental clinic, with its loud tools and confined spaces, can be an intimidating environment for children. If a parent is anxious, their child is likely to pick up on those emotions, further escalating the tension within the dental room.
This is why worrying about a child’s well-being can be overwhelming. Parents must use all types of tools to ensure a smoother, more positive experience while their children undergo procedures.
Seeing their child benefit from the presence of a therapy dog can help the parent ease their own nerves and, as a result, continue to keep the child calm during the procedure. Therapy dogs provide much-needed comfort for both children and their parents.
Therapy dogs in pediatric dental clinics are a valuable resource in alleviating anxiety for both children and their parents, thus improving the quality of dental care. The benefits keep growing for dentists, parents, and kids.
What exactly happens for kids?
Regular dental visits are necessary for maintaining a child’s oral and overall health. Nevertheless, both parents and dentists have a bigger challenge when fear and anxiety make the experience distressing. A few examples of dental anxiety in children include the following:
- Fidgeting
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Crying
- Inability to cooperate
Even if a child is told there is nothing to fear, their body may still react to stress responses. This can often be interpreted as the child being ‘naughty’ or ill-mannered, but these behaviors are often a representation of their response to fear.
When a child experiences heightened anxiety, their body releases excess cortisol—the stress hormone—making it difficult for them to self-soothe or self-regulate.
How do children benefit from the dogs in the dental clinic?
Studies have shown that interacting with dogs triggers the release of positive chemicals. For example, serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. These “feel-good” chemicals help promote relaxation, thus making it easier for dental professionals to carry out their procedures effectively.
Imagine the sounds of scraping, drilling, and other dental tools (nobody likes that!). Children might feel out of control while sitting in the dental chair.
Now imagine having a dog by your side while all of this is happening to you. Therapy dogs provide a healthy distraction, offering comfort through petting, snuggling, or simply having a reassuring presence nearby.
Interacting with a therapy dog can help with a child’s confidence and sense of security, helping them remain calm throughout their visit, and proving that they can be the perfect four-legged companion to a child visiting the dental clinic. Don’t you wish this was made for adults, too?
Extra considerations when using therapy dogs
For therapy dogs to be effective in dental clinics, proper training is essential. The clinic must also be spacious enough to accommodate the presence of a therapy dog safely.
In smaller clinics, the risk of infection control issues, tripping hazards, or distractions during procedures must be carefully managed.
Therapy dogs should be well-disciplined, ensuring they remain calm despite the various noises and movements occurring in a dental setting. Likewise, children should be educated on how to interact with therapy dogs appropriately, making sure not to pet them too hard or to crowd the dog, ensuring a respectful and safe experience for all.
Therapy dogs have the potential to positively transform dental visits for children and parents, reducing fear and anxiety while fostering a more positive association with oral healthcare. Let’s not forget how these dogs can also help all dental professionals. With their calming presence, therapy dogs can help ensure that everyone leaves the dental clinic with literal smiles on their faces.
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