Science Says: Plants Make Visits to the Dentist Less Painful
A study published in HortScience has shown that adding plants to a dental clinic can have a measurable effect on how patients feel after treatment. The research found that patients in plant-filled spaces reported less pain, lower stress, and reduced anxiety compared to those in rooms without plants.
This is one of the few studies to directly measure both physiological and psychological responses to plants in a dental setting. Rather than simply asking people if they like greenery, the researchers looked at what actually happens in the body and mind when patients spend time in a space with plants.
How They Studied Plants in Dentists Offices
The research took place in Shanghai and involved 30 dental patients. Each participant had just finished a dental procedure. Immediately afterwards, they were placed in one of two recovery rooms for five minutes.
One room was bright, filled with healthy plants, and had access to natural light. The other room was identical in size and layout but had no greenery at all.
While the patients sat in these rooms, the researchers measured brain activity using EEG technology. They also tracked heart rate variability and skin conductance, which are indicators of stress and relaxation.
Afterwards, patients completed two questionnaires. One measured anxiety levels using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The other asked them to rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10.
The Benefits and Results of Waiting Room Plants
The differences between the two groups were striking. Patients in the plant-filled room showed calmer brainwave patterns and lower physiological stress signals. They also reported feeling less anxious than those in the plant-free room.
The most significant finding was the difference in pain scores. On average, patients in the plant-filled space rated their pain at 4.7 out of 10. In the room without plants, the average pain rating was 7.5. That’s a difference of nearly three points.
What It Means for Dental Clinics
This study provides clear evidence that plants can have a real impact on patient experience. It is not just about making a space look nicer. The presence of plants changes how people feel both physically and emotionally.
For dentists and clinic managers, this is an opportunity to improve care without complicated interventions. Adding greenery to treatment areas, waiting rooms, and recovery spaces could make visits less stressful and more comfortable for patients.
It also sends a message about the environment you want to create. A clinic with healthy, well-placed plants feels more welcoming and more human. Patients notice those details and may associate your practice with comfort and care.
Bringing the Benefits Plants to Your Dental Clinic
At Promise Supply, we work with dental clinics and other healthcare providers to design and maintain plant installations that fit their space and style. Our goal is to help you create environments that support wellbeing — for patients and for staff.
The research is clear. Plants are more than decoration. They are a simple, science-backed way to make dental visits a little less painful.