Abstract
Background: Dental visits are a significant fear among five to six percent of the population. Music distraction has been demonstrated as an effective destraction method in reducing dental anxiety. This study aimed to determine the effect of music on children?s anxiety during dental treatment. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey, in which we included a convenience sample of 50 children aged between five and 14 years. The sample consisted of children who attended the female outpatient pediatric dentistry clinics at the College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire given to patients before and after the treatment procedure. The questionnaire asked about the anxiety levels related to dental treatment using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale faces version (MCDASf). The study data was collected and then analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20). Results: Thirty-one participants (62%) were relaxed when asked about their feelings toward dentists in general after music therapy, compared to 22 (44%) before music therapy. Thirty six participants (72%) were relaxed, when asked about their feelings toward checking their teeth after music therapy, compared to 24 (48%) before music therapy. Thirty nine participants (78%) felt relaxed when the treatment was done with music therapy, compared to 25 (50%) before music. Forty participants (80%) reported that they felt calm and comfortable when they listened to music during treatment. Conclusions: Dental treatment for an anxious pediatric patient is challenging. Many non -pharmacological behavior management techniques were introduced, including distraction. This study indicated that music distraction could decrease the anxiety and stress levels of pediatric patients during dental treatment.