outsmarting dentophobia - an in-vivo study

​ Background: Dentophobia is defined as persistent anxiety that is focused on a dental object or situation. This phobia brings anxiety, which can be managed by many techniques, one of which is breathing exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing, pinwheel breathing, and balloon breathing. Aim: To evaluate and compare diaphragmatic breathing, pinwheel breathing, and balloon breathing during dental treatment for anxiety management. Methodology: Forty anxious child patients of age 4-10 years were selected for the study and divided equally into four groups, namely diaphragmatic breathing (group 1), balloon breathing (group 2), pinwheel breathing (group 3), and no breathing exercise (group 4). The pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and anxiety picture test were evaluated pre and postoperatively. Results: All the breathing exercises reduced the pulse rate, blood pressure, and anxiety rate scale of the child patients. Conclusion: Diaphragmatic breathing was found to be the best among all techniques used.