Dental Anxiety And Phobia Essay

Possible Techniques for Treating Dental Anxiety/ Dental Phobia

The management / treatment of anxious and phobic patients can depend on the severity of the condition. The medical history of the patient also influences the treatments that are available to them (Robert Ireland 2010)

Managing a patient’s Dental Anxiety and Dental Phobia can be considered under two headings

1. Non-pharmacological

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - non-invasive psychological intervention therapy such as positive reinforcement ,praising patient, the use of non-threatening language, the tell show do technique and verbal explanations can be positive for the treatment of Dental Anxiety (Nyary 2010 )

• Systemic desensitisation, psychological therapy used for treating patient’s anxieties and phobias. It is a method where a patient will retrain themselves how to feel in the Anxiety/ Phobia producing situation. Patients will face their fears, little by little until they are no longer afraid. (Richmond 2013)

• Dental Therapists- Dental Therapists are in a prime position to be involved with the management of anxious and phobic patients. Dental Therapists can spend more time educating and treating these patients until they are comfortable with procedures ( Macleavey 2013)

• Scent of lavender: A study carried out by researchers at Kings College London (2008) found that people exposed to lavender oil scent were less anxious when it came to dental treatment. It helps to calm patients before treatment.

Dental Anxiety and specific phobia of dental procedures are conditions that can result in substantial distress and oral health impairment. Cognitive techniques, relaxation, and techniques to increase patients’ sense of control over dental care ...

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... treatment is ever offered to them by the dental professionals
 Would they consider treatment if it was available
 If they would like a leaflet explaining about Dental Anxiety/ Dental Phobia and the treatment out there.

RESOURCES:
 Institute Facilities – A.I.T ( Athlone Institute of Technology) computer lab
 Internet
 Money (put on student card to print questionnaires )
 Printer
 Ink
 Paper
 Envelops
 Stamps
 Black Pens

A considerable amount of money will be saved due to the researcher being a member of Athlone Institute of Technology. Putting money on a student card allows the researcher to use the facilities of the college such as the printer, ink and paper with no extra cost.