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Furry friend at the dentist: could a therapy dog calm nervous kids?

NCT ID NCT06725134

What the study statuses mean

This study's is highlighted.

Recruitment status, easiest to join first

Recruiting now This study
This trial is taking on new participants right now.
Not yet recruiting
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
Paused
Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

Expanded access
Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
Expanded access (paused)
Not a trial. The treatment can normally be requested outside a study, but is unavailable right now.
Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
The treatment has been approved, so it is available normally rather than through this programme.

When the status isn't known

Details not published
The full record has not been published yet, so there is little to show here.
Status unknown
This status has not been confirmed recently, so it may be out of date.

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether having a trained therapy dog present during a child's dental numbing injection can reduce anxiety and distress. About 25 children aged 4 to 12 will be randomly assigned to either have a therapy dog with them or receive standard care. Researchers will measure behavior and heart rate to see if the dog helps.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
therapy dog presence
What this could lead to
If it works, this could provide a simple, drug-free way to help children feel calmer during dental procedures.
What could go wrong
This is a very small study (25 children) and results may not apply to all kids or dental settings. The effect may be small or not work for everyone.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 25 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Nov 2024

Expected to finish

Jul 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

4 to 12 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

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

Inclusion Criteria: * Age range: children aged 4- to 12-years * Health status: healthy children without significant medical conditions (ASA I or ASA II) * Dental procedure: children scheduled for at least two dental procedures requiring local anesthesia * Consent: written informed consent from the parent or legal guardian * Verbal assent from potential subjects age 4-9 years; written assent for children age 10-12 years Exclusion Criteria: * Allergies: children with known allergies to dogs or animal dander * Children with a fear or phobia of dogs * Children with a behavioral disorder which may negatively impact response to the presence of a therapy dog * Previous exposure: children who have previously undergone dental procedures with local anesthesia in the presence of a therapy dog * Medical conditions: children with medical conditions that might affect their vital signs independently of the dental procedure (e.g., heart conditions) * Parental discomfort: cases where parents are uncomfortable with the presence of a therapy dog during the procedure * Advanced behavior guidance is indicated: children whose behavior for dental examination is classified as "Definitely Negative" (Frankl 1)

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Behavior

As listed by the trial registrant

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

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

    1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.

  2. The official record

    ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

    Open the record ↗

  3. A doctor treating you

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Michigan School of Dentistry Children's Clinic

    RECRUITING

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

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