Effect of aromatherapy and music before infiltrative anesthesia on dental anxiety and pain in children

All children received the tell–show–do behavior management technique, delivered by an experienced pediatric dentist prior to the intervention. Local anesthesia was administered by the same pediatric dentist after completion of the intervention period. In the lavender aromatherapy group, lavender essential oil was administered by inhalation for 10 minutes in a closed operatory room. Four drops of lavender essential oil were placed in an oil diffuser, which was gently heated by a candle placed underneath. No additional tools such as masks or humidifiers were used. In the music therapy group, children listened to music played from a computer (not through headphones) for 10 minutes before anesthesia. Half of the children in this group listened to relaxing instrumental music, while the other half listened to their preferred music.