An interventional study of Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment in Sensory Processing Disorder, sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 2 Years to 17 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-06.
Sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
This clinical trial examines the efficacy of a Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) in reducing anxiety and improving behavioral outcomes in children with sensory processing disorders during routine dental visits. By modifying the dental setting to accommodate sensory sensitivities-such as using dim lighting, noise-canceling headphones, and non-threatening dental tools-the study aims to create a more comfortable dental experience for these children. This research could potentially inform broader pediatric dentistry practices, making dental care more accessible and less distressing for children with sensory sensitivities.
The study is a crossover randomized controlled trial designed to assess the impact of a Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) on children with sensory processing disorders, focusing on both physiological and behavioral responses. Participants will undergo two dental cleaning visits; one in a standard dental environment and one in a sensory-adapted setting. Each visit will be spaced three to four months apart to monitor short-term effects and behaviors. The primary outcomes measured will include changes in anxiety levels, as assessed by physiological markers (e.g., heart rate) and behavioral scales (e.g., modified dental anxiety scale). Secondary outcomes will evaluate the overall acceptance of the sensory-adapted environment by children and their caregivers. This study seeks to demonstrate that tailored environmental modifications can significantly improve the dental care experience, potentially leading to enhanced long-term dental health and reduced care avoidance among children with sensory processing disorders. The trial will also gather qualitative feedback from participants and their parents to better understand individual experiences and refine future adaptations in pediatric dental practices.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is the lead sponsor of 435 studies on the registry; 88 are open to participants now.
Of its 62 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 31 (50%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in this arm will experience dental care in a Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment. Modifications such as dimmed lighting, noise-canceling headphones, and specialized dental tools are used to minimize sensory overload and enhance comfort during dental procedures.
Behavioral: Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment
Participants in this arm will receive dental care in a Regular Dental Environment without sensory adaptations, representing standard dental care settings.
The Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) involves altering the dental setting to reduce sensory stimuli that can cause discomfort or anxiety in children with sensory processing disorders. This includes the use of controlled lighting, ambient sounds, and non-threatening tools to create a calming atmosphere conducive to positive dental experiences.
Also known as: SADE
Effect of SADE on Heart Rate
This measure evaluates the impact of the Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) on physiological indicators of anxiety, specifically heart rate change.
Time frame: Baseline to approximately 50 minutes (after dental appointment)
Effect of SADE on Oxygen Saturation
This measure evaluates the impact of the Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) on physiological indicators of anxiety, specifically oxygen saturation change.
Time frame: Baseline to approximately 50 minutes (after dental appointment)
Effect of SADE on Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure
This measure evaluates the impact of the Sensory-Adapted Dental Environment (SADE) on physiological indicators of anxiety, with change in systolic or diastolic blood pressure.
Time frame: Baseline to approximately 50 minutes (after dental appointment)
Frankl Behavior Rating Scale Change
A change in score on the Frankl behavioral rating scale. This is a scored as a single rating of behavior between 1 and 4 with a higher score indicating a more positive attitude.
Time frame: Baseline to approximately 50 minutes (after dental appointment)
Ohio State University Behavior Rating Scale
This scale rates the participants' behavior. A change in score on the behavioral rating scale. This is a scored as a single rating of behavior between 1 and 4 with a lower score indicating a more positive attitude.
Time frame: Baseline to approximately 50 minutes (after dental appointment)
Venham's Clinical Anxiety Scale
A scale used to measure the change in clinical anxiety of participants will be a single item scored from 0-3, where a higher score indicates more anxiety and protest from the participant.
Time frame: Baseline to approximately 50 minutes (after dental appointment)
Wong Bakers Visual FACES Scale Modified
A modification of Wong-Baker scale designed to understand the child's anxiety on the same scale and faces pattern, pre-visit and post-visit.
Time frame: Visit 1 Day 1 to Visit 2 (May occur Day 90-120)
Plan to share: Yes — We plan to share individual participant data (IPD) that underlie the results reported in this trial after de-identification. Data sets will include all collected IPD encompassing demographic, physiological, behavioral, and self-reported anxiety metrics. The shared data will support further research on sensory processing disorders and dental anxiety, enhancing the reproducibility of our results and enabling secondary analyses by other researchers.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Sap, Icf, Csr, Analytic code
This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio