Our sense of smell is incredibly powerful and has been shown to have direct links to how comfortable we feel in a particular environment. It is the sense with the greatest emotional and sensitive impact, and it transfers directly to the limbic system, where emotions and memory are processed in the brain.
It’s therefore an important aspect of the patient experience in healthcare settings. Clinicians can make small changes that could have a great impact on their patients’ responses to care, all by targeting their experience of smell.
How does smell affect patient care?
Odours have direct links to memory, and these associations can be built across a lifetime. Sometimes a scent can remind us of a person, place, or feeling. In the dental practice, it’s important to ensure that any smells are pleasant and can be associated with positive memories and emotions.
This has a proven effect on the patient experience, with olfactory aromatherapy significantly reducing dental anxiety and pain intensity, meaning patients have improved pain perception and emotional changes when visiting their dentist.
A 2023 study found that after olfactory aromatherapy, dental patients saw their anxiety reduced more than threefold and fourfold, depending on the anxiety scale chosen. It notes that this aspect of care reduced the experience of anxiety in the moment, known as state anxiety, which was important as dentists can proceed with a more predictable treatment.
Olfactory aromatherapy, however, may not have as great an impact on any negative thoughts and nerves before a procedure. With this in mind, clinicians can work with patients to ensure that when they arrive for treatment, fragrance is used to help improve their overall experience.
Which scents impact our experience?
The simplest way to implement this is by choosing an effective and appropriate long-lasting scenting solution and the right scents.
Literature notes that sandalwood has a “grounding and calming aroma”, which suggests it offers sleep-promoting effects, reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality for insomniacs.
Lavender, in addition to its calming features, is thought to have an impact on interpersonal trust. This can be a great benefit in healthcare scenarios, as trust between clinician and patient can be key to optimised treatment outcomes. It could also mean an individual is more relaxed about their care, due to improved confidence in their practitioner.
Neutra-lox is a renowned malodour eliminator that is sometimes used in scenting solutions to combat the smells in a particular area. This can be effective in healthcare spaces to remove scents that patients may feel negatively towards. For practices that do not wish to have an obvious fragrance – either due to irritation or simple personal preference – a purely neutra-lox solution can be optimal, as it will still bring a benefit to a space.
Clear the air with Initial Medical
Initial Medical offers a range of air solutions that can improve the patient experience. Leading these is the Initial Signature AirFlow, a revolutionary battery-free, airflow-activated addition to your practice. Its compact design packs a punch, enhancing comfort and reducing stress in areas up to 15m3, with two scents available Sandalwood and Garden Mist.
Also available to professionals is the Initial Essence air freshener, featuring state-of-the-art oxygen fuel cell technology for long-lasting fragrance delivery. You can choose scents including Spring (notes of ylang, lavender and geranium with fresh cologne and lemon), Elate (a fruity, floral fragrance with musk notes) Adore (fresh apple with amber and spices) and Neutra-lox, where strong fragrances are not desired.
To find out more, get in touch at 0808 304 7411 or visit the website today www.initial.co.uk/medical
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