Turtle-Assisted Animal Interaction on Dental Anxiety and Physiological Parameters in Children

This study aims to measure the effect of a structured AAT session with a turtle present on dental anxiety and behavioral compliance in children during routine procedures that do not require local anesthesia in a pediatric dental clinic.

Inclusion Criteria: * Children aged 6-10 years * Children with ASA I-II general health status * Children who have obtained written parental consent + an age-appropriate informed consent form * Children undergoing non-invasive procedures that do not require local anesthesia, such as dental examinations, fissure sealant or fluoride application. • Children who can understand Turkish instructions (for scale application). Exclusion Criteria: * • Children with animal phobia / intense fear of turtles (as stated by the child or parent). • Children with immunosuppression or a history of severe allergic diseases. • Children with a dental plan requiring sedation/GA within the last month (due to intense anxiety or systemic illness). * Children with an active infectious disease / a condition requiring isolation. • Children for whom a physician has deemed contact with animals inadvisable. • Children who have been included in a similar behavioral/anxiety intervention program during the same period.