Psychological predictors of pain during dental hygiene treatment

This study examined the role of catastrophizing (i.e. a tendency to exaggerate the threat value of potentially painful situations) in predicting pain experience during dental hygiene treatment. Participants in the research were 100 patients undergoing scaling and/or root planing procedures at Dalhousie University's Dental Clinic. Following treatment, participants completed the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, a measure of emotional distress, a pain scale, and the Dental Anxiety Scale-Revised. Participants who scored above the median on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale were classified as catastrophizers, participants who scored below the median were classified as noncatastrophizers. Results showed that catastrophizers reported significantly more dental anxiety, emotional distress and pain than noncatastrophizers; and that distress reactions were more pronounced in men that in women. Discussion focuses on the importance of addressing psychological factors in dental hygiene practice, particularly as they relate to reactions to dental hygiene procedures, and avoidance of dental care.