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Strategies for combating dental anxiety
Lyndsay C Bare1, Lauren Dundes
1University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, USA.
Journal of Dental Education
|November 3, 2004
Summary
Dental anxiety affects many patients, often due to fear of pain. Anxious patients prefer friendly, talkative dentists and comfortable office environments to improve dental care experiences.
Area of Science:
- Dental Medicine
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Dental anxiety is a significant issue leading to avoidance of dental care.
- This avoidance contributes to the deterioration of oral health.
- Understanding patient preferences is crucial for addressing dental anxiety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the preferences of dental patients experiencing dental anxiety.
- To identify factors that may alleviate anxiety and encourage regular dental visits.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from 121 individuals at a liberal arts college.
- Respondents self-identified dental anxiety levels.
- Analysis of preferences regarding dentist demeanor, office environment, and amenities.
Main Results:
- 50% of respondents reported dental anxiety, primarily due to fear of pain (66%).
- Anxious patients preferred friendly (93%), talkative (82%) dentists and adorned offices (89%).
- Background music (89%), reading materials (75%), and a cool temperature (63%) were favored; anxious patients preferred male dentists (77%).
Conclusions:
- Findings offer insights for dental professionals to manage patient anxiety.
- Tailoring the dental environment and communication style can improve patient comfort.
- Addressing dental anxiety can lead to increased dental visit frequency and better oral health outcomes.