Vol.:(0123456789) 1 3 European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-019-00422-y ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE The reassuring role of music associated with the personality traits of children during dental care: a randomized clinical trial J. M. Serra‑Negra 1  · M. H. Abreu 2  · C. E. Flores‑Mendoza 3  · M. O. Brant 1  · S. M. Auad 1 Received: 20 January 2017 / Accepted: 19 February 2019 © European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry 2019 Abstract Aim The objective of this study was to analyze the reassuring role of music associated with the personality traits of children during dental care. Method The study involved a randomized crossover clinical trial with 34 children, aged from 4 to 6 years, who exhibited two carious lesions on the occlusal surfaces of the molars. The children were divided into two groups: (G1) frst tooth restoration intervention session with music, second session without music; and (G2) frst tooth restoration intervention session without music, second session with music. The frst consultation was to perform a clinical examination, and the second and third to perform modifed Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (mART). Symphony No. 40 by Mozart was played via headphones. Pulse rate (PR) was measured using a pulse oximeter. The Brazilian version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Junior (EPQ-J) was used to measure the children’s personality. For statistical analysis, descriptive, Chi-square, and Wilcoxon tests were carried out. Results The G1 group exhibited a lower PR at the time of the intervention during the second consultation compared to the third consultation (p = 0.012). The G2 group exhibited a lower PR at the time of the intervention during the third consulta- tion compared to the frst consultation (p = 0.002). The majority of the children with a low level of extraversion presented with higher PR (p = 0.005). Conclusion Music could reduce the PR among children during dental intervention. Children with low extraversion showed a tendency towards a higher PR without music during dental care. Keywords Behavior · Children · Dentistry · Music · Personality · Psychology Introduction It is not uncommon to fnd the reports of fear and anxi- ety among child dental patients (Ramos-Jorge et al. 2006, 2013). The child patient deserves greater care, because a negative dental experience in childhood may have a lasting efect and infuence their future behavior as adults (Oliveira et al. 2012). In situations where children think they are in a threatening environment, feelings of fear and anxiety may occur. In these cases, there is activation of the cerebral lim- bic system, which can generate uncomfortable sensations, such as sweating and increased heart rate (Fleming et al. 2011). The way which the child reacts to new and/or threat- ening situations can be associated with personality traits (Eysenk and Eysenk 1969; Hartman et al. 2010; Santos and Flores-Mendoza 2012). Personality is described as the individual form of a per- son reacting to the stimuli of the environment and/or to the emotional conficts that he/she experiences in the course of his/her life (Eysenk and Eysenk 1969; Hartman et al. 2010). Neuroticism, psychoticism, and extraversion are three per- sonality traits in children that have been studied by impor- tant researchers (Eysenk and Eysenk 1969). Neuroticism is * J. M. Serra-Negra juniaserranegra@hotmail.com 1 Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil 2 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Geraisl, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil 3 Department of Psychology, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil