Therapy dogs may ease dental visits for kids with autism

NCT ID NCT05577234

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

autism autism spectrum disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

AUTISM

Contacts and locations

Locations

Hôpital Bretonneau - Service d'odontologie

Paris, France

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