Designing Sustainable and Acoustically Optimized Dental Spaces: A Comprehensive Review of Soundscapes in Dental Office Environments
Source abstract
Abstract
The acoustic environment of dental clinics plays a critical role in shaping patient experience, staff performance, and overall clinical effectiveness. This comprehensive review, supported by systematic search procedures, investigates how soundscapes in dental settings influence psychological, physiological, and operational outcomes. A total of 60 peer-reviewed studies were analyzed across dental, healthcare, architectural, and environmental psychology disciplines. Findings indicate that mechanical noise from dental instruments, ambient reverberation, and inadequate acoustic zoning contribute significantly to patient anxiety and professional fatigue. The review identifies emerging strategies for acoustic optimization, including biophilic and sustainable design principles, sound-masking systems, and adaptive sound environments informed by artificial intelligence. Special attention is given to the integration of lean management and circular economy practices for sustainable dental architecture. A design checklist and practical framework are proposed for use by dental professionals, architects, and healthcare planners. Although limited by the predominance of observational studies and geographic bias in the existing literature, this review offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary synthesis. It highlights the need for future clinical trials, real-time acoustic assessments, and participatory co-design methods to enhance acoustic quality in dental settings. Overall, the study positions sound design as a foundational element in creating patient-centered, ecologically responsible dental environments.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Noise Effects and Management · Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation · Building Energy and Comfort Optimization
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 2 Thivon Str., 11527 Athens, Greece
Systemic Analyst Program (CSAP), University of Piraeus, 18534 Piraeus, Greece
Royal Academy of Music, University of London, London WC1E 7HU, UK
References (100+)
Show source-provided references
1. Liu, Y., and Chen, X. (2024). A study on the influence of dominant sound sources on users’ emotional perception in a pediatric dentistry clinic. Front. Psychol., 15.10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1379450 ↗
2. Antoniadou, M., Tziovara, P., and Antoniadou, C. (2022). The Effect of Sound in the Dental Office: Practices and Recommendations for Quality Assurance—A Narrative Review. Dent. J., 10.10.3390/dj10120228 ↗
3. Erfanian, M., Mitchell, A.J., Kang, J., and Aletta, F. (2019). The Psychophysiological Implications of Soundscape: A Systematic Review of Empirical Literature and a Research Agenda. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 16.10.3390/ijerph16193533 ↗
4. Tziovara, P., Antoniadou, C., and Antoniadou, M. (2024). Patients’ Perceptions of Sound and Noise Dimensions in the Dental Clinic Soundscape. Appl. Sci., 14.10.20944/preprints202402.0873.v1 ↗
5. Antoniadou, M., Tziovara, P., and Konstantopoulou, S. (2023). Evaluation of Noise Levels in a University Dental Clinic. Appl. Sci., 13.10.3390/app131910869 ↗
6. Systematic review of hearing loss in dental professionals10.1093/occmed/kqad084 ↗
7. Williamson, S.M., and Prybutok, V. (2024). Balancing Privacy and Progress: A Review of Privacy Challenges, Systemic Oversight, and Patient Perceptions in AI-Driven Healthcare. Appl. Sci., 14.10.3390/app14020675 ↗
8. Zhou, T., Wu, Y., Meng, Q., and Kang, J. (2020). Influence of the Acoustic Environment in Hospital Wards on Patient Physiological and Psychological Indices. Front. Psychol., 11.10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01600 ↗
9. The Mitigating Effects of Water Sound Attributes on Stress Responses to Traffic Noise10.1177/00139165241245829 ↗
10. Torresin, S., Aletta, F., Babich, F., Bourdeau, E., Harvie-Clark, J., Kang, J., Lavia, L., Radicchi, A., and Albatici, R. (2020). Acoustics for Supportive and Healthy Buildings: Emerging Themes on Indoor Soundscape Research. Sustainability, 12.10.3390/su12156054 ↗
11. Biophilic Design as an Important Bridge for Sustainable Interaction between Humans and the Environment: Based on Practice in Chinese Healthcare Space10.1155/2022/8184534 ↗
12. Sensory environment on health-related outcomes of hospital patients
13. Decreasing Delirium Through Music: A Randomized Pilot Trial10.4037/ajcc2020175 ↗
14. Cerwén, G., Pedersen, E., and Pálsdóttir, A.-M. (2016). The Role of Soundscape in Nature-Based Rehabilitation: A Patient Perspective. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 13.10.3390/ijerph13121229 ↗
15. The Influence of Exposure to Nature on Inpatient Hospital Stays: A Scoping Review
16. Finnigan, K.A. (2024). Sensory Responsive Environments: A Qualitative Study on Perceived Relationships between Outdoor Built Environments and Sensory Sensitivities. Land, 13.10.3390/land13050636 ↗
17. Alotaibi, H.M., Alduais, A., Qasem, F., and Alasmari, M. (2025). Sensory Processing Measure and Sensory Integration Theory: A Scientometric and Narrative Synthesis. Behav. Sci., 15.10.3390/bs15030395 ↗
18. Pagano, M., and Del Prete, S. (2024). Symphonies of Growth: Unveiling the Impact of Sound Waves on Plant Physiology and Productivity. Biology, 13.10.3390/biology13050326 ↗
19. Effects of white noise on preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials10.1002/nop2.2094 ↗
20. Zhang, Z. (2024). Linking Architecture and Emotions: Sensory Dynamics and Methodological Innovations. [Ph.D. Thesis, Departament de Representació Arquitectònica, UPC].
21. Asojo, A., and Hazazi, F. (2025). Biophilic Design Strategies and Indoor Environmental Quality: A Case Study. Sustainability, 17.10.3390/su17051816 ↗
22. Qualitative Research: Data Collection, Analysis, and Management10.4212/cjhp.v68i3.1456 ↗
23. The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews10.1136/bmj.n71 ↗
24. Tahvili, A., Waite, A., Hampton, T., Welters, I., and Lee, P.J. (2025). Noise and sound in the intensive care unit: A cohort study. Sci. Rep., 15.10.1038/s41598-025-94365-8 ↗
25. Blue Space: Extracting the Sensory Characteristics of Waterscapes as a Potential Tool for Anxiety Mitigation
26. Mitigating Intensive Care Unit Noise: Design-Led Modeling Solutions, Calculated Acoustic Outcomes, and Cost Implications
27. A Systematic Review of Research Gaps in the Built Environment of Inpatient Healthcare Settings
28. Engineer, A., Ida, A., Jung, W., and Sternberg, E.M. (2024). Measuring the Impact of the Built Environment on Health, Wellbeing, and Performance: Techniques, Methods, and Implications for Design Research, Routledge. [1st ed.].10.4324/9780367814748 ↗
29. The effect of an improved ICU physical environment on outcomes and post-ICU recovery—A protocol10.1186/s13063-024-08222-6 ↗
30. Overview of ICU Nurses’ Knowledge and Need Assessment for Instrument to Detect Sick Building Syndrome10.1177/23779608241288716 ↗
31. Noise effects, analysis and control in hospitals—A review10.1177/09574565241235326 ↗
32. Rodríguez-Nogueiras (2024). Factors Related to The Perception of Hospital Noise in A Neuroscience Unit. J. Clin. Cardiol. Cardiovasc. Interv., 7, 1–10.
33. Al Khatib ISamara, F., and Ndiaye, M. (2024). A systematic review of the impact of therapeutical biophilic design on health and wellbeing of patients and care providers in healthcare services settings. Front. Built. Environ., 10.10.3389/fbuil.2024.1467692 ↗
34. Armbruster, C., Walzer, S., Witek, S., Ziegler, S., and Farin-Glattacker, E. (2023). Noise exposure among staff in intensive care units and the effects of unit-based noise management: A monocentric prospective longitudinal study. BMC Nurs., 22.10.1186/s12912-023-01611-3 ↗
35. Ten questions concerning smart and healthy built environments for older adults10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110720 ↗
36. How physical home workspace characteristics affect mental health: A systematic scoping review
37. Bringel, J.M.A., Abreu, I., Muniz, M.M.C., de Almeida, P.C., and Silva, M.G. (2023). Excessive Noise in Neonatal Units and the Occupational Stress Experienced by Healthcare Professionals: An Assessment of Burnout and Measurement of Cortisol Levels. Healthcare, 11.10.3390/healthcare11142002 ↗
38. Residential Environments for Older Persons: A Comprehensive Literature Review (2005–2022)
39. A Broad Study to Develop Maternity Units Design Knowledge Combining Spatial Analysis and Mothers’ and Midwives’ Perception of the Birth Environment
40. Meng, Q., Lee, P.J., and Ma, H. (2022). Editorial: Sound Perception and the Well-Being of Vulnerable Groups. Front. Psychol., 13.10.3389/fpsyg.2022.836946 ↗
41. Lo Castro, F., Iarossi, S., Brambilla, G., Mariconte, R., Diano, M., Bruzzaniti, V., Strigari, L., Raffaele, G., and Giliberti, C. (2022). Surveys on Noise in Some Hospital Wards and Self-Reported Reactions from Staff: A Case Study. Buildings, 12.10.3390/buildings12122077 ↗
42. Measurement of sound levels in a neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital, Karachi, Pakistan10.1016/j.pedneo.2022.04.010 ↗
43. Ruettgers, N., Naef, A.C., Rossier, M., Knobel, S.E.J., Jeitziner, M.M., Grosse Holtforth, M., Zante, B., Schefold, J.C., Nef, T., and Gerber, S.M. (2022). Perceived sounds and their reported level of disturbance in intensive care units: A multinational survey among healthcare professionals. PLoS ONE, 17.10.1371/journal.pone.0279603 ↗
44. Wazzan, M., Estaitia, M., Habrawi, S., Mansour, D., Jalal, Z., Ahmed, H., Hasan, H.A., and Al Kawas, S. (2022). The Effect of Music Therapy in Reducing Dental Anxiety and Lowering Physiological Stressors. Acta Biomed., 92.
45. Noise reduction in the ICU: A best practice implementation project10.1097/XEB.0000000000000311 ↗
46. Decreasing delirium through music listening (DDM) in critically ill, mechanically ventilated older adults in the intensive care unit: A two-arm, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial10.1186/s13063-022-06448-w ↗
47. Huntsman, D.D., and Bulaj, G. (2022). Healthy Dwelling: Design of Biophilic Interior Environments Fostering Self-Care Practices for People Living with Migraines, Chronic Pain, and Depression. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.10.3390/ijerph19042248 ↗
48. Associations between indoor soundscapes, building services and window opening behaviour during the COVID-19 lockdown10.1177/01436244211054443 ↗
49. Environmental noise in hospitals: A systematic review10.1007/s11356-021-13211-2 ↗
50. Perception of Patient and Visitors on Noise Pollution in Hospitals and Need of the Real Time Noise Monitoring System
51. Dzhambov, A.M., Lercher, P., Stoyanov, D., Petrova, N., Novakov, S., and Dimitrova, D.D. (2021). University Students’ Self-Rated Health in Relation to Perceived Acoustic Environment during the COVID-19 Home Quarantine. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.10.3390/ijerph18052538 ↗
52. The Perception and Attitude Toward Noise and Music in the Operation Room: A Systematic Review10.1016/j.jss.2021.01.038 ↗
53. Effect of landscape design elements on promoting neuropsychological health of children10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127333 ↗
54. Noble, L. (2020). The Design of Psychotherapy Waiting Rooms. [Bachelor’s Thesis, Connecticut College]. Available online: https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/psychhp/79.
55. Dabrowska, M.A. (2025, June 14). The Role of Positive Distraction in the Patient’s Experience in Healthcare Setting: A Literature Review of the Impacts of Representation of Nature, Sound, Visual Art, and Light. Available online: https://www.scribd.com/document/743506359/Dabrowska-Thesis-2020.
56. Effects of intensive care unit ambient sounds on healthcare professionals: Results of an online survey and noise exposure in an experimental setting10.1186/s40635-020-00321-3 ↗
57. Jiang, S. (2022). Nature through a Hospital Window: The Therapeutic Benefits of Landscape in Architectural Design, Routledge. [1st ed.].10.4324/9781003122180 ↗
58. Ma, K.W., Wong, H.M., and Mak, C.M. (2017). Dental Environmental Noise Evaluation and Health Risk Model Construction to Dental Professionals. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 14.10.3390/ijerph14091084 ↗
59. Assessment of noise pollution and its effect on patients undergoing surgeries under regional anesthesia, is it time to incorporate noise monitoring to anesthesia monitors: An observational cohort study10.1186/s42077-020-00070-1 ↗
60. Zijlstra, E., Hagedoorn, M., Krijnen, W.P., van der Schans, C.P., and Mobach, M.P. (2019). The effect of a non-talking rule on the sound level and perception of patients in an outpatient infusion center. PLoS ONE, 14.10.1371/journal.pone.0212804 ↗
61. The health care system is making ‘too much noise’ to provide family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units: Perspectives of health care providers and hospital administrators10.1016/j.iccn.2018.05.001 ↗
62. Evaluation of a sound environment intervention in an ICU: A feasibility study10.1016/j.aucc.2017.04.001 ↗
63. The effect of exposure to natural sounds on stress reduction: A systematic review and meta-analysis10.1080/10253890.2024.2402519 ↗
64. Mittelmark, M.B., Sagy, S., Eriksson, M., Bauer, G.F., Pelikan, J.M., Lindström, B., and Espnes, G.A. (2017). The Handbook of Salutogenesis, Springer.10.1007/978-3-319-04600-6 ↗
65. Williams, F. (2017). The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, W. W. Norton & Company.
66. Healing built-environment effects on health outcomes: Environment–occupant–health framework10.1080/09613218.2017.1411130 ↗
67. Roe, J., and McCay, L. (2016). Restorative Cities: Urban Design for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bloomsbury Publishing.
68. Environmental Variables That Influence Patient Satisfaction: A Review of the Literature
69. Spatial and temporal associations of road traffic noise and air pollution in London: Implications for epidemiological studies10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.001 ↗
70. Comparison of staff and family perceptions of causes of noise pollution in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and suggested intervention strategies10.4103/1463-1741.178480 ↗
71. Exploring the effect of sound and music on health in hospital settings: A narrative review10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2016.08.008 ↗
72. Evaluation of strategies aimed at reducing the level of noise in different areas of neonatal care in a tertiary hospital
73. Mazer, S. (2025, June 14). Music as Environmental Design. Available online: https://www.academia.edu/88078785/Music_as_Environmental_Design.
74. Cochrane Methods Bias (2025, April 25). RoB 2: A Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool for Randomized Trials. Available online: https://methods.cochrane.org/bias/resources/rob-2-revised-cochrane-risk-bias-tool-randomized-trials.
75. AMSTAR 2 appraisal of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in the field of heart failure from high-impact journals10.1186/s13643-022-02029-9 ↗
76. Narrative Reviews: Flexible, Rigorous, and Practical10.4300/JGME-D-22-00480.1 ↗
77. Infection Control during COVID-19 Outbreak in a University Dental School
78. Antoniadou, M. (2024). Integrating Lean Management and Circular Economy for Sustainable Dentistry. Sustainability, 16.10.20944/preprints202410.0248.v1 ↗
79. Biophilic design in architecture and its contributions to health, well-being, and sustainability: A critical review10.1016/j.foar.2021.07.006 ↗
80. Toward Restorative Hospital Environment: Nature and Art in Finnish Hospitals
81. Fei, X., Wu, Y., Dong, J., and Kong, D. (2025). The Effects of Soundscape Interactions on the Restorative Potential of Urban Green Spaces. Sustainability, 17.10.3390/su17062674 ↗
82. Biological relevance of sound in plants10.1016/j.envexpbot.2022.104919 ↗
83. Candido, C., Durakovic, I., and Marzban, S. (2024). Routledge Handbook of High-Performance Workplaces, Routledge. [1st ed.].10.1201/9781003328728 ↗
84. Effects of biophilic indoor environment on stress and anxiety recovery: A between-subjects experiment in virtual reality10.1016/j.envint.2019.105427 ↗
85. Plants can talk: A new era in plant acoustics10.1016/j.tplants.2023.06.014 ↗
86. Advancements in preprocessing, detection and classification techniques for ecoacoustic data: A comprehensive review for large-scale Passive Acoustic Monitoring10.1016/j.eswa.2024.124220 ↗
87. Zaffaroni-Caorsi, V., Azzimonti, O., Potenza, A., Angelini, F., Grecchi, I., Brambilla, G., Guagliumi, G., Daconto, L., Benocci, R., and Zambon, G. (2025). Exploring the Soundscape in a University Campus: Students’ Perceptions and Eco-Acoustic Indices. Sustainability, 17.10.3390/su17083526 ↗
88. Dental patients’ journey map: Introduction to patients’ touchpoints
89. Awareness and barriers to sustainability in dentistry: A scoping review10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103735 ↗
90. Antoniadou, M., Chrysochoou, G., Tzanetopoulos, R., and Riza, E. (2023). Green Dental Environmentalism among Students and Dentists in Greece. Sustainability, 15.10.20944/preprints202304.0949.v1 ↗
91. Speroni, S., and Polizzi, E. (2025). Green Dentistry: State of the Art and Possible Development Proposals. Dent. J., 13.10.3390/dj13010038 ↗
92. The Modern Hearing Care Landscape: Toward the Provision of Personalized, Dynamic, and Adaptive Care10.1055/s-0043-1769621 ↗
93. Sound reduction management in the neonatal intensive care unit for preterm or very low birth weight infants
94. Application of Theory in Studies of Healthcare Built Environment Research
95. Why hospital design matters: A narrative review of built environments research relevant to stroke care10.1177/17474930211042485 ↗
96. Nurses’ perceptions of the layout and environment of the paediatric intensive care unit in terms of sleep promotion10.1111/nicc.70016 ↗
97. Perceptions of Psychotherapy Waiting Rooms: Design Recommendations
98. Creating the ICU of the future: Patient-centred design to optimise recovery10.1186/s13054-023-04685-2 ↗
99. (2025, June 14). WELL Building Standard v1. Available online: https://standard.wellcertified.com/well.
100. Assessment of noise intensity in a dental teaching clinic10.1038/bdjopen.2017.10 ↗