Therapy dogs may ease dental anxiety for kids with autism
NCT ID NCT05577234
First seen Feb 13, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 23 times
Summary
This study tested whether having a therapy dog present during dental visits reduces anxiety in children with autism. Fifty children aged 6 to 17 took part. The dog was with them for the first two sessions, and the third session was without the dog. Researchers measured anxiety levels to see if the dog's presence made a lasting difference.
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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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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Hôpital Bretonneau - Service d'odontologie
Paris, France
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 children with autism tolerate dental care more comfortably.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early study with only 50 participants. The results may not apply to all children with autism, and the effect might not last without the dog present.
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.