Non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety relief in patients undergoing dental care and dental procedures: a scoping review protocol

Abstract

Introduction: Dental anxiety is a significant challenge in oral healthcare, affecting patients of all ages and potentially compromising treatment adherence, cooperation during procedures, and overall clinical outcomes. Non-pharmacological interventions have increasingly been used as complementary strategies to reduce anxiety and promote patient comfort during dental care and procedures. Objectives: To identify and map the existing scientific evidence on non-pharmacological interventions used to reduce anxiety in patients undergoing dental care and procedures. Methodology: A scoping review will be conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological guidance and reported in line with the PRISMA-ScR recommendations. The literature search will be conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL Ultimate, Scopus, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, RCAAP, and BASE. Search strategies will combine controlled vocabulary, where applicable, with free-text terms structured around three conceptual blocks: anxiety or dental fear, dental/oral healthcare and procedures, and non-pharmacological interventions. Quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, observational, experimental, quasi-experimental, descriptive, and case studies meeting the eligibility criteria will be considered for inclusion. Study selection and data extraction will be conducted independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved through discussion and, when necessary, consultation with a third reviewer. The study selection process will be documented using a PRISMA-ScR flow diagram. The protocol has been registered and made publicly available through the Open Science Framework 10.17605/OSF.IO/J59PG. Expected Results: The review is expected to identify and categorise the range and characteristics of non-pharmacological interventions investigated for anxiety management during dental care and procedures, including complementary and holistic approaches, and to map the outcomes assessed and gaps in the existing evidence. Conclusion: This scoping review is expected to provide a comprehensive mapping of non-pharmacological strategies for anxiety management in dental care, supporting evidence-informed, patient- centred practice and identifying priorities for future research.