Effect of Music on Dental Anxiety and Physiological Responses During Dental Drill and Suction Sounds

Dental anxiety is common and may be triggered or increased by sounds associated with dental treatment, particularly the sound of a dental drill and suction device. Anxiety during dental care may be associated with changes in physiological responses such as heart rate and blood pressure. This randomized controlled clinical trial will investigate whether listening to music can reduce dental anxiety and physiological responses when participants are exposed to dental drill and suction sounds. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a music group or a control group. Participants in the music group will listen to selected music during exposure to the dental sounds, while participants in the control group will undergo the same sound exposure without music. Dental anxiety will be assessed using a validated anxiety assessment tool, and physiological responses will be measured before, during, and/or after exposure to the dental sounds. The study will compare changes in anxiety and physiological measures between the music and control groups. The findings may help determine whether music is a simple, non-invasive approach for reducing anxiety and physiological responses associated with dental sounds and may contribute to improved comfort during dental care.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Adults aged 18 years or older. 2. Participants able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent. 3. Participants able to hear and understand the standardized dental drill and suction sounds presented during the study. 4. Participants willing to undergo exposure to standardized dental drill and suction sounds and complete the dental anxiety assessment. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current use of medications that may substantially affect heart rate, blood pressure, or anxiety responses. 2. Known cardiovascular disease or other medical conditions that may significantly affect physiological responses to the study procedure. 3. Hearing impairment that may interfere with perception of the standardized dental sounds. 4. Current use of medication or treatment for an anxiety disorder that may substantially influence the assessment of dental anxiety. 5. Previous adverse reaction or intolerance to music or headphone use. 6. Any condition that, in the investigator's judgment, may make participation unsafe or interfere with completion of the study procedures.