Relaxing effects of music in dentistry for mentally handicapped patients

SUMMARYPeople have long found the dental situation stressful. This is doubly true for mentally handicapped patients who may not understand the necessity of dental procedures. Attempts to develop means of reducing excessive anxiety and stress in these patients will benefit not only the patients but also make the dentist's task easier to accomplish. This study evaluates music as a distraction and relaxation technique in 24 mentally handicapped adults.