Therapy dogs may ease dental visits for kids with autism
NCT ID NCT05577234
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether having a therapy dog present during dental visits could reduce anxiety and improve cooperation in autistic children aged 6 to 17. Fifty children received two sessions with a dog and one without. The goal was to see if the dog's presence made later visits easier. Results could point to a simple, non-drug way to improve oral healthcare for this group.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
animal-assisted intervention (therapy dog)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way to help autistic children feel calmer and cooperate better during dental care.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed study with only 50 participants, so results may not apply to all autistic children. The presence of a dog may not help everyone and could even cause distraction or fear in some cases.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Hôpital Bretonneau - Service d'odontologie
Paris, France