Background: The study aimed to determining the magnitude of the power of the aromatherapy at which it reduces the intensity of dental pain and level of dental anxiety. Also, it aimed to correlate between olfactory aromatherapy, phases of dental visits, and different dental procedures. Methods: A randomized controlled study was enrolled on female patients. The olfaction was stimulated via lavender oils. Patients were randomly divided into a lavender group in which patients inhaled 2 % of lavender vapors and control group where the patients inhaled water vapors. The variables included pain score, anxiety score, and changes in vital signs. Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires and visual analog scales (VAS) were used to assess anxiety and pain. Vital signs included systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and oxygen saturation (Spo2). Variables were assessed before inhalations, 20 minutes after inhalations, at the end of settings, and on the day after visits. Results: Each group included 175 subjects. Pain and anxiety scores were significantly reduced and vital signs were also improved, except for DBP. The MDAS, STAI, and pain scores are reduced by 3.4, 4.2, and 2.4 times more than control group, respectively. The greatest effect of the aromatherapy appeared in setting rooms. Conclusion: The pleasant olfaction minimizes anxiety scores three to four times and pain perception two times more than the control group. It also significantly reduces the fear of dental procedures which have mild to moderate scores.

Background The purpose of the study was to determine to what extent olfactory aromatherapy reduces the intensity of dental pain and the level of dental anxiety. It also attempted to corelate between olfactory aromatherapy, stages of dental visits, and various dental procedures. Methods Female patients were enrolled in a randomized controlled study. Olfactory aromatherapy was performed using lavender oils. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the lavender group, in which patients inhaled 2% lavender vapors, and the control group, in which patients inhaled water vapors. Pain score, anxiety score, and changes in vital signs were among the predictable variables. Anxiety and pain were assessed using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and visual analog scales (VAS). The vital signs were systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and oxygen saturation (Spo2). Variables were evaluated before inhalations, 20 min after inhalations, at the end of settings, and on the following day. Results Each group had 175 participants. Pain and anxiety scores were significantly reduced, and all vital signs improved, except for DBP. The MDAS, STAI, and pain scores are reduced by 3.4, 4.2, and 2.4 times, respectively, compared to the control group. Olfactory aromatherapy had the greatest impact during the phase of waiting rooms. Conclusion When compared to the control group, olfactory aromatherapy reduces anxiety scores three to four times more. Pain perception is reduced by twice as much as in the control group. It also significantly reduces the anxiety associated with minor to moderately stressful dental procedures.