The Correlation of Classical, Jazz, and Pop Music to a Reduction of Dental Anxiety Experienced by Adult Patients

Indianapolis, IN

This study explored if passive music listening caused a decrease in dental anxiety experienced by adult dental hygiene patients. I also considered if there was a difference between genres of music: classical, jazz or pop. This study also looks at the effect of song familiarity and patient music preference on any decrease in anxiety. I worked with sixty adult patients, who were randomly assigned to listen to classical, jazz, pop or no music at all. Each patient took a dental anxiety survey before and after their teeth cleaning. These surveys were based on the Modified Corah Dental Anxiety Scale. Music was selected off the ITunes highest download charts for each genre. I found that patients not considered to have moderate to severe anxiety had no statistically significant difference compared to the control. However, those with high anxiety who listened to classical music did have a statistically significant decrease in anxiety compared to the high anxiety control group (p=0.0045). Song familiarity and patient preference also did not have a significant effect on a decrease in anxiety scores. Data was analyzed using single factor ANOVA tests and unequal variance t-Tests. Passive music listening does not have any significant effect on adult dental hygiene patients that have less than moderate dental anxiety. Classical music caused the greatest decrease, and the only statistically significant decrease. I believe the reason is that the melodies are accessible to a wide-ranging audience but transform throughout a piece, combined with the slower tempo of this genre.