DENTAL PHOBIA

INTRODUCTION

Most people live with  anxiety about going to the dentist. For those the thought of a dental visit is terrifying ,they'll do just about anything to avoid a dental appointment. These people go to the dentist only when are forced by extreme pain.


SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

* Trouble sleeping at night
* Feeling nervousness
* Crying or feeling physically ill
* Panic when objects are placed in the mouth during dental visit


CAUSES

1. Negative past experiences
     Person who had experienced discomfort or pain during previous dental procedures are more anxious in their next visit.

2. Pain
    It is considered as the most common reason for the development of dental phobias among patients.

3. Fear of injections
     Many people are afraid of needles. So the thought of needle inserting inside their mouth makes them anxious.

4. Embarrassment
      People feel embarrassed when someone looks into their mouth. They feel uncomfortable about the physical​ closeness of the dentist to their face.

5. Helplessness or loss of control
     Since in a dental treatment you have to stay still and not able to see what's going on makes them predict that they are going to get hurt. This makes them feel helpless and loss of control.

6. Genetics
     30% of the dental fear are heritable.

7. Others
     People develop dental fear through the social media, reading some fearful dental comics and listening to a fearful dental stories from a friend or family members.


MANAGEMENT

 It is important for a dentist to have a positive behaviour and attitude. They should communicate with the patient in a friendly , calm and non judgemental manner. This helps to achieve trustworthy relationship between the dentist and the patient.
Dentist should communicate with the patient during dental procedures and explain the steps before proceeding to the patient.
Ask the patient to breathe slow deep and steady for 2-3 minutes , this reduces the patient heart rate when anxious.


COPING SKILLS

Some common strategies used by patients to get through their fear are :
* speak ,ask questions related to your treatment. Clear your doubts that is the reason for your dental fear.
* occupy your hand by squeezing some soft toys or use a fidget toy to distract yourself when the dental procedure is going on.
* deep breathing helps to calm down.
   
                         DR. ANJUSHA SHARDA

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