Dental Fear, Anxiety, and Phobia – Behavioral Management and Implications for Dentists

Abstract

Clinical management of patients with dental fear, anxiety, and phobia could be a major challenge to daily practice of dental professionals. The aim of the current review was to expand the modern consideration with respect to these issues, and therefore to discuss basic approaches and psychological techniques for management of oral health behaviors that should be employed in dentistry. This paper presents detailed description of the characteristics of dentist-patient therapeutic relationship as well as the most used techniques to cope with dental fear, anxiety, and phobia - relaxation techniques, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), hypnosis and melotherapy. We can still argue that knowledge from behavioral sciences, along with excellent communication skills, empathic attitude, and individual patient-centered approach remain the main armamentarium of the dentist to deal with “difficult” patients, experiencing fear, anxiety, or phobia during dental appointment.

Keywords

• dental phobia
• anxiety
• cognitive-behavioral therapy
• hypnosis
• melotherapy