Using music to help children during dental care with sedation

Contribution of Music During Dental Care Under MEOPA in Children

Not applicable Interventional Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice · NCT05720689

This study is testing whether playing relaxing music can help children aged 4 to 12 feel less anxious and have a better experience during dental care while they are sedated.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment177 (estimated)
Ages4 Years to 12 Years
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Lille and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05720689 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effects of relaxing music on children aged 4 to 12 years receiving dental care under conscious sedation with an equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (MEOPA). The study aims to improve the dental care experience for children, particularly those with special needs or anxiety, by assessing whether music can enhance anxiolysis and overall treatment success. Participants will be recruited from four university hospital dental services in France, and the trial will compare outcomes between sessions with and without music.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 4 to 12 years who require dental care under sedation and can communicate in French.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to MEOPA, nasal breathing disorders, hearing impairments, or those who have had complications during inhalation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce anxiety and improve the dental care experience for children, leading to better oral health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of music in medical settings is not novel, specific studies focusing on its impact during pediatric dental procedures under sedation are limited, making this approach relatively untested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Children aged 4 to 12 years referred for dental care under sedation in one of the four HU dental services
* Children requiring at least two sessions of the same type and duration
* Consent of the holders of parental authority, consent of the children
* Health coverage for the child (social security affiliation)
* Child and parents are French speaking and able to communicate with the medical team

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications to the use of MEOPA
* Nasal breathing disorders such as a flu syndrome ("blocked nose" not allowing nasal ventilation)
* Hearing impaired children
* Patients with complications during inhalation (especially headaches)

Where this trial is running

Lille and 3 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Dental Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.