Lemon balm scent may ease Kids' dental fear, study hopes

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 6 to 10 years at the time of enrollment. * Male or female pediatric patients in good general physical and mental health. * Require mandibular local anesthesia (inferior alveolar nerve block) for pulpotomy or pulpectomy of at least one primary molar. * No previous experience with dental local anesthesia. * Behavior classified as "positive" or "negative but accepting" (categories 2 or 3) according to the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale during the initial examination. * Ability of the child to understand simple verbal instructions appropriate for age. * Parent or legal guardian able and willing to sign written informed consent. * Child willing to provide verbal assent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * History of previous dental local anesthesia. * Presence of dental emergencies (e.g., acute infection, severe pain, or swelling) requiring urgent treatment. * Known diagnosis of neurological, psychiatric, developmental, or behavioral disorders that may interfere with cooperation or with the assessment of anxiety and pain. * Systemic diseases or medical conditions (American Society of Anesthesiologists \[ASA\] physical status III or higher) that increase procedural risk or preclude participation according to the investigator's judgment. * Current acute upper respiratory conditions, such as common cold, rhinitis, sinusitis, or nasal allergy that could alter the sense of smell or breathing comfort. * Known allergy, hypersensitivity, or adverse reaction to Melissa officinalis, other Lamiaceae plants, essential oils, or components of the products used in the study. * Use of anxiolytics, antidepressants, sedatives, or other psychotropic medications within the last 30 days. * Behavior rated as definitely negative (Frankl category 1) or definitely positive (Frankl category 4) at baseline. * Inability of parents or guardians to understand the study information or provide informed consent. * Participation in another clinical trial within the previous 30 days.