Aromatherapy In Dental Practice

Authors:

Dr. Shruti Kulkarni, Bhabha College of Dental Sciences, Bhopal.

Dr. Anisha Maria, Head of Department, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Bhabha College of Dental Sciences, Bhopal.

Abstract

Dental phobia and anxiety is very common among dental patients. This fear and anxiety often acts as a barrier in providing efficient dental treatment. Sometimes it even makes patient management difficult. There are various ways for management of dental anxiety and some of them include prescribing medications which can have their own side effects. Aromatherapy on the other hand, is effective and has no side effects. Aromatherapy is a form of holistic therapy that has been used for thousand years for promoting physical and emotional health. It uses essential oils having antifungal, antibacterial and healing properties. They are used for inhalation and are also applied to skin in form of lotions and creams. Some of the essential oils include lavender, rose, sandalwood, clary sage, chamomile, cedar wood, jasmine, vetiver, lemon, orange, basil, neroli, juniper and many more. In a research conducted, lavender was tested to be effective in reducing dental anxiety among patients. This article discusses on how aromatherapy, as a simple cost effective procedure, can benefit our patients and help us deliver quality treatment. It will also help in making our clinic livelier and filled with positive vibes in a stressful pandemic scenario, whether we are starting out or getting back to dental practice.

Keywords- Dental anxiety, aromatherpy, lavender, essential oils

“One drop, one small action, one little step can and does create change”

Introduction

Aromatherapy is a traditional complementary therapy which uses concentrated essential or volatile oils extracted from herbs, flowers, roots, barks, leaves and stems and other parts of plant to treat various diseases (1).

These oils have healing, stimulating, calming, antitoxic and anti-septic properties. These oils alter psychological state, reduce stress and anxiety, and are often used to give energy and to balance the body, mind and spirit.(2)

Mechanism of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy works through sense of smell, these oils when inhaled activate olfactory nerve cells, which then send impulses to brain causing circulatory and nervous stimulation.(2)

Aromatherapy in Dental Office

To reduce

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Fear
• Panic attacks

To induce-

• Relaxation.(3)

Other than reducing anxiety and stress aromatherapy is also used in various other modalities. It is effective in treating mouth ulcers, gingivitis and halitosis. (2)