Source: Medscape
A French clinical study suggests that dog assisted therapy may help children with autism spectrum disorder feel less anxious during dental visits. Children with autism often struggle with dental care due to sensory sensitivity, communication challenges, and heightened anxiety. Researchers studied 49 children aged 6 to 16, comparing standard behavioral techniques with and without the presence of a trained therapy dog during early dental sessions. The dog provided comfort, distraction, and a model for procedures, helping children feel more at ease.
Results showed that children who experienced dog assisted therapy had lower anxiety levels even in later visits without the dog. This indicates that early exposure may support a smoother transition to routine dental care. In addition, clinicians and staff also reported reduced stress during sessions involving the therapy dog. The findings highlight the potential of animal assisted therapy as an effective tool to improve cooperation and outcomes in pediatric dental care.