351 - Binaural Beats as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention to Treat Dental Anxiety in Pediatric Dental Patients

Background: Dental anxiety is a prevalent issue in pediatrics, often resulting in increased heart rates, poor behavior, and a hesitation to accept care that can lead to future oral health complications. Binaural beats—auditory illusions created by presenting two slightly different frequencies to each ear—are thought to synchronize brain activity to states associated with relaxation, such as Alpha or Theta waves. This study sought to explore their potential as an easily implementable, non-pharmacological stress-reduction tool.

Objective: To investigate the effect of binaural beats delivered via headphones on the heart rate of children undergoing active dental treatment.

Methods: A total of 25 children (ages 5 to 9) participated in two separate appointments: a control visit and an intervention visit. In the control visit, children wore noise-canceling headphones with no audio. During the intervention visit, they listened to binaural beats embedded in ambient music. Heart rate (BPM) was measured using a pulse oximeter at baseline and every five minutes during procedures such as restorations and extractions, resulting in 120 paired observations.

Results: A paired-samples t-test revealed that the mean heart rate was significantly lower during the binaural beats condition (M=85.62BPM) compared to the control condition (M=89.38BPM). This resulted in an average heart rate reduction of 3.76 BPM, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Binaural beats appear to be a promising, low-cost, and non-invasive strategy for reducing physiological markers of dental anxiety in children. Incorporating this intervention into clinical practice may improve patient cooperation and long-term oral health outcomes, though further research with larger samples and multimodal assessments is recommended.