Research conducted at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg discovered that people with dental anxiety can be helped with cognitive behavioral therapy.

Dr. Viktor Carlsson described the "vicious cycle" that individuals with severe dental anxiety can get into: "People with severe DA are often trapped in a vicious cycle that begins with avoidance of dental care. The next stage is poorer oral health, often followed by a sense of shame and withdrawal from social intercourse."

As a sedation dentist, you've seen the results of this vicious cycle among your own patients who suffer from dental fear. Sedation dentistry can be a real life-saver for many. But what about the people who are so debilitated by their dental anxiety that they can't even bring themselves to pick up the phone to make the sedation consultation? Dr. Carlsson's research indicates that they can reduce their dental anxiety with cognitive behavioral therapy.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was developed in the 1960s by psychiatrist Dr. Aaron T. Beck. The foundation of CBT rests on individuals identifying the negative thoughts and/or behaviors they struggle with and taking steps to respond to them in a better, more positive way. Beck asserted that negative thinking patterns often develop from childhood experiences and then become fixed perceptions that they carry with them through life.

The Vicious Cycle in Dentistry

Bad experiences with dentists in childhood could set up someone to develop a negative pattern of thinking: "If I go to the dentist it will be painful and I will suffer and regret going." As the individual continues to postpone dental care, the negative thoughts are reinforced: "I haven't been to the dentist so my teeth will probably be in bad shape, and I'll need a lot of work done. So it'll be even more painful." It's the beginning of that vicious cycle.

How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Works

CBT typically involves a series of structured sessions in which a therapist works with his patient to understand the problematic thought or behavior and develop a strategy for handling it. Essentially, patients undergo a process of rehabilitating their thoughts and behaviors. This type of therapy can be very effective for those who have anxiety issues.

Take a patient with dental anxiety for example. Using CBT, a therapist and patient would identify a single issue, dental anxiety, and set a goal, say, for the patient to see a dentist. The CBT sessions would focus on that one issue in a series of steps, examinations and/or exercises that the patient does during sessions and as "homework" assignments. One step could be for the patient to examine how others experience a visit to the dentist; inevitably some people would report an unpleasant experience, but not everyone. The idea is to help the patient gain a more reality-based perception of the dentist (instead of assuming it's always going to be horrible).

The Silver Bullet?

So, let's say the patient who goes through CBT with the goal of seeing a dentist is successful. They make the appointment. How can a clinician keep this patient on the right track? Provide her with a stress-free and relaxed dental experience—via sedation dentistry. The patient's negative thoughts about visiting the dentist would be vanquished, starting a new positive thought pattern and good oral health.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 106 Lenora Street, Seattle, WA 98121. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.

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The information contained in this, or any case study post in Incisor, should never be considered a proper replacement for necessary training and/or education regarding adult oral conscious sedation. Regulations regarding sedation vary by state. This is an educational and informational piece. DOCS Education accepts no liability whatsoever for any damages resulting from any direct or indirect recipient's use of or failure to use any of the information contained herein. DOCS Education would be happy to answer any questions or concerns mailed to us at 3250 Airport Way S, Suite 701 | Seattle, WA 98134. Please print a copy of this posting and include it with your question or request.
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