Management of the Anxious, Fearful or Phobic Dental Patient

Course overview

A large percentage of people seeking dental care have anxiety and/or fear about receiving treatment. This Quality Resource Guide (QRG) discusses: the differences between anxiety, fear and dental phobia and their expression in the dental environment; tools available to identify dental anxiety; techniques used to manage a patient's dental anxiety and fear; management options for the patient with dental phobia; and the role of the patient in the management of their dental anxiety and fear. The origins of dental anxiety, fears and phobias; ways to measure dental anxiety; and approaches that can help lead to successful management of anxious and fearful patients are covered in depth. A series of tables explain the process of dental anxiety, a questionnaire to measure dental anxiety and practical advice for patients to reduce their anxiety. This QRG will serve as an important resource for the dentist, and all members of the office staff, as they assess and provide therapy for anxious, fearful or phobic patients.