Considerations for Utilizationof Animal-Assisted Therapy in Pediatric Dentistry Practice

The use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in pediatric dental practices is a relatively new approach for behavior management, with few studies gauging interest in its use from the provider's perspective. The purpose of this study was to assess pediatric dentists' interest in and concerns with the use of AAT and identify its challenges and limitations. A survey was sent to the membership of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, comprising questions about providers' practices and their views on the benefits of and concerns about implementing AAT. Ninety-two percent of the respondents felt that pet therapy would improve a patient's comfort; 67 percent indicated they expected a moderate or strong improvement, but only eight percent expected no improvement. Hygiene (26 percent) and liability (26 percent) were the main reservations about its use. This paper illustrates that the profession is open to AAT for behavior guidance and offers ways to incorporate it into practice.