SynthesisPublic health reviews2026
Non-pharmacological and physical strategies for managing dental anxiety: a systematic review with implications for dental education.
Synthesis in Public health reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Objectives: Dental anxiety remains a significant barrier to effective oral healthcare, contributing to treatment avoidance and poorer clinical outcomes. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological and physical interventions in reducing dental anxiety and improving patient cooperation. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, and Google Scholar for studies published between 1971 and 2024. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, and observational studies assessing non-pharmacological or technology-assisted interventions in children and adults were included. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework. Results: A total of 126 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Interventions were grouped into three categories: technological/physical (e.g., computer-controlled anesthesia, Er:YAG laser, TENS), sensory-relaxation (e.g., aromatherapy, breathing techniques, hypnosis), and digital/interactive (e.g., mobile applications, audiovisual distraction, humanoid robots). The majority of studies reported reductions in anxiety or improvements in patient cooperation. The strongest evidence supported computer-controlled anesthesia systems while moderate-certainty evidence was identified for aromatherapy, laser-based interventions, and audiovisual distraction. Several additional interventions demonstrated potentially beneficial effects, although the certainty of evidence remained limited due to methodological weaknesses. Conclusion: Non-pharmacological and physical interventions can effectively reduce dental anxiety and enhance treatment acceptance across diverse patient populations. Integrating these strategies into routine clinical practice and dental education may improve patient-centered care and reduce reliance on pharmacological methods. Further high-quality studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness and support implementation. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251229878, identifier CRD420251229878.
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