Psychiatric diagnoses among self-referred dental injection phobics

Comparação das propriedades anestésicas em duas técnicas anestésicas distintas para molares inferiores

Resumo Introdução O medo de sentir dor é um dos principais motivos pelos quais muitos pacientes evitam submeter-se a tratamento dentário. Em vários procedimentos odontológicos, o uso de anestésicos locais se faz necessário. O aparelho Morpheus® propõe a introdução da agulha sem dor e anestesia satisfatória, com uso de menor volume de anestésico local. Quando há necessidade de intervenção em molares e pré-molares inferiores, é preconizado o uso deste aparelho para técnica intrasseptal CaZOE, substituindo o bloqueio do nervo alveolar inferior tradicional (BNAI). Objetivo O presente trabalho de pesquisa configurou-se como um estudo randomizado, duplo cego e cruzado, cujo objetivo foi avaliar as propriedades anestésicas através da técnica intrasseptal CaZOE e da técnica convencional do bloqueio do nervo alveolar inferior (BNAI). Material e método Os procedimentos anestésicos foram realizados em duas sessões, por um único operador previamente treinado. Assim, foram avaliados parâmetros físicos, saturação periférica de O2, ansiedade, sensibilidade dolorosa, eficácia, tempo de latência e duração da anestesia em cada uma das técnicas, sendo então os respectivos dados comparados. Resultado Não houve diferenças significativas quanto aos parâmetros físicos e à saturação periférica de O2. A técnica intrasseptal CaZOE apresentou maior taxa de sucesso anestésico, menor tempo de latência, menor tempo de duração e menor desconforto na execução, quando comparada ao BNAI. Conclusão Inserir a injeção eletrônica na rotina da clínica odontológica pode proporcionar maior conforto aos pacientes submetidos à anestesia local e diminuir o abandono dos tratamentos odontológicos por medo e ansiedade associados à anestesia local.

Comparação do nível álgico no bloqueio do nervo alveolar inferior através de duas técnicas distintas

Resumo Introdução O bloqueio do nervo alveolar inferior está entre as anestesias mais utilizadas e importantes da Odontologia; porém, não há estudos que comparem a anestesia eletrônica (Morpheus) e a anestesia tradicional manual, utilizando a seringa Carpule. Objetivo Avaliar comparativamente dois sistemas de anestesia com relação à sensibilidade dolorosa durante e após a anestesia, com a administração de lidocaína 2% associada à epinefrina 1:100.000, na técnica anestésica para o nervo alveolar inferior. Material e método Este ensaio clínico foi executado de modo randomizado, cruzado e duplamente cego, envolvendo 30 voluntários, que necessitavam de tratamento odontológico e que se submeteram ao bloqueio do nervo alveolar inferior, utilizando a seringa tipo Carpule na primeira sessão e o injetor de velocidade controlada Morpheus, o qual foi realizado em duas sessões, com intervalo de pelo menos duas semanas entre cada sessão. Ao final de cada sessão, foi aplicada a Escala Visual Analógica (EAV), para avaliação da sensibilidade dolorosa à injeção. Resultado A comparação entre os métodos revelou que o convencional mostrou induzir maiores valores na EAV do que o Morpheus. O teste do Qui-Quadrado, para proporções esperadas iguais, mostrou que a técnica com Morpheus obteve maior (p=0,0062) preferência do que a convencional. Conclusão No conjunto, os dados revelam que a técnica empregando o Morpheus foi superior à convencional nos três momentos. A execução da anestesia realizada com Morpheus mostrou ser mais confortável e ter aceitação e maior preferência dos voluntários.

Anxiety and depressive disorders and dental fear among adults in Finland

We studied the association between dental fear and anxiety or depressive disorders, as well as the comorbidity of dental fear with anxiety and depressive disorders, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, dental attendance, and dental health. Nationally representative data on Finnish adults, ≥ 30 yr of age (n = 5,953), were gathered through interviews and clinical examination. Dental fear was measured using the question: 'How afraid are you of visiting a dentist?' Anxiety and/or depressive disorders were assessed using a standardized structured psychiatric interview according to criteria presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) (DSM-IV).Those with depressive disorders, generalized anxiety disorder or social phobia more commonly reported high dental fear than did those without these disorders. When age, gender, education, dental attendance, and the number of decayed, missing, and restored teeth were considered, those with generalized anxiety disorder were more likely to have high dental fear than were participants with neither anxiety nor depressive disorders. The comorbidity of depressive and anxiety disorders also remained statistically significantly associated with dental fear; those with both depressive and anxiety disorders were more likely to have high dental fear than were those without these disorders. Our findings support the suggestion that some individuals may have a personality that is vulnerable to dental fear.

Oral health-related quality of life and dental status in an outpatient psychiatric population: a multivariate approach

Research related to oral health in people with mental health problems may deepen our understanding of the quality of life of such individuals. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oral status, health perceptions and life satisfaction, and their impacts on oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL). Data were collected from 113 patients in outpatient psychiatric care using a structured interview and an oral examination. Six multivariate models (one comprising the total population, three separate diagnostic groups, and two sex groups) investigated the variance in OHQoL. In the total population, the number of teeth, subjective life satisfaction, perception of physical health, sex, and relying on chance accounted for 40% of the variance. In the group consisting of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia 41% of the variance was explained by the variables 'number of teeth' and 'perception of physical health'. In the group diagnosed with mood disorders, the variable 'number of teeth' accounted for 58% of the variance. The variance in the remaining group of diagnoses was explained, up to 38%, by life satisfaction and reliance on chance. The sex models revealed significant differences: men considered the responsibility of caring for their oral health as a health matter, while women saw oral health as a more subjective issue. The perception of OHQoL was found to be dependent on the particular psychiatric diagnosis and sex. Such findings can be of use in the development of rehabilitation, as well as preventive strategies that could be individually tailored to maintain OHQoL and oral health.

One- vs. five-session treatment of intra-oral injection phobia: a randomized clinical study

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of one and five sessions of treatment for intra-oral injection phobia in 55 subjects fulfilling the DSM-IV criteria for specific phobia. The subjects were randomly assigned to one or five sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) performed by dentists. Assessments included behavioural tests and self-report instruments used pretreatment, post-treatment, and at 1 yr of follow-up. The dental anxiety scale (DAS), the injection phobia scale-anxiety, and the mutilation questionnaires were applied. Mean avoidance duration of intra-oral injections before treatment was 7.0 yr. The results showed that 89% of the subjects had received intra-oral injections from a regular dentist during the 1-yr follow-up. The only significant difference between the one- and the five-session groups was that the five-session group reported less anxiety (as measured using the DAS) at 1 yr of follow-up. It was concluded that both treatments performed by dentists specially trained in CBT have a significant treatment effect on the intra-oral injection phobia.

Monitoring oral health and dental attendance in an outpatient psychiatric population

Impaired mental health has been associated with an increased need for dental care. Population surveys have indicated that people with enduring mental health problems make less frequent planned visits to the dentist and report a greater number of missing teeth than the general population. The study aims to examine oral health status, attendance to dental care, and medication in an outpatient psychiatric sample. A descriptive study combining a structured interview with a visual oral examination carried out in 113 outpatients under psychiatric care. Dental health was described in terms of sound, missing and/or filled teeth, and showed a relation between these categories and types of psychiatric diagnosis, age and numbers of antidepressant and neuroleptic drugs. Oral hygiene was found to be more neglected among men and in patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia. The need of dental treatment was widespread, although regular dental visits were commonly reported. In order to maintain good oral health, regular dental check-ups should be encouraged for patients under psychiatric care. Further studies are required to reveal contributory causes for/to decreased oral health. The difficulty such individuals have in maintaining additional self-efficacy raises questions about the necessity for oral health interventions in outpatient psychiatric services.

Fear of blood, injury, and injections, and its relationship to dental anxiety and probability of avoiding dental treatment among 18-year-olds in Norway

BACKGROUND

More knowledge about the relationship between blood-injury-injection phobia (BIIP) and dental anxiety (DA) may give new clinically relevant information in the assessment and management of children with DA.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to explore the relationships between BIIP and DA, and to explore to what extent the two subtypes of BIIP in combination with DA are related to self-reported probability of avoiding dental treatment if a dental injection is needed.

METHODS

The subjects were a random sample of 1385 18-year-olds attending high schools in a county of Norway, and the data were collected by use of questionnaires completed in classrooms. The survey instruments applied were Dental Fear Survey, Injection Phobia Scale-Anxiety, and Mutilation Questionnaire.

RESULTS

About 11% of the subjects with DA and subtypes of BIIP, respectively, reported high probability of avoiding dental treatment in a situation where a dental injection was possibly needed. In multiple regression analysis, only DA contributed to self-reports of high probability of avoiding dental treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that among adolescents, BIIP is relatively often connected with DA. Clinical implications are discussed.

Psychological characteristics of Norwegian adolescents reporting no likelihood of visiting a dentist in a situation with toothache

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to explore and compare psychological characteristics in two groups of 18-year-old adolescents: (i) subjects reporting no likelihood of visiting the dentist in a situation with toothache (avoiders); and (ii) subjects who definitely would see the dentist in the same situation (non-avoiders).

METHODS

The study included a representative sample (n = 1385) of 18-year-old adolescents attending high schools in the county of Hordaland, Norway. Data were collected by use of questionnaires completed in classrooms.

RESULTS

The following factors increased the risk of being included in the avoider group: negative beliefs of the dentist (communication, trust and control) (OR = 4.3), high dental anxiety (OR = 3.5), and being a male (OR = 2.4). No predictive power for being included in the avoider group was found for general self-efficacy, coping style, multiple fears, or anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents with avoidance behaviour have more negative beliefs of the dentist and higher dental anxiety compared to non-avoiders, but were found to have no other specific psychological characteristics. These results indicate a high potential for prevention of future avoidance of care for dentists that are focusing on patient communication and to give young patients perceptions of trust and control during dental treatment.

Short-term antidepressant treatment of comorbid dental anxiety in patients with panic disorder

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of dental anxiety (DA) and dental phobia (DP) in panic disorder, and to follow the changes in DA levels during antidepressant treatment of panic disorder.

METHODS

Fifty-three controls and 102 panic disorder patients were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID), the Panic-Agoraphobia Scale (PAS), and the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS). Oral health status was defined by the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. The patients were classified into three groups: (1) those without dental anxiety (WDA), (2) those with dental anxiety (DA), and (3) those with dental phobia (DP). All patients were treated with antidepressants for 3 months and the response rates were assessed.

RESULTS

At baseline, DAS was significantly higher in both the DA and the DP groups than in the control group. Ten (9.8%) of the panic disorder patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for DP; 31 (30.4%) had severe DA. In the control group, none of the patients was diagnosed as DP, whereas 7 (13.5%) had severe DA. Panic disorder and DA both responded to the antidepressant treatment, but DAS scores remained significantly higher in the DP group than in the DA group and the control group at the end of the third month.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that both DA and DP are more frequent in panic disorder than in healthy controls. Antidepressant treatment may have been helpful in decreasing DA levels in the DA group but not in the DP group.

Psychometric properties of the Revised Dental Beliefs Survey

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this pair of studies were to examine the internal reliability, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the Revised Dental Beliefs Survey.

METHODS

A total of 108 college students completed two questionnaires containing the Revised Dental Beliefs Survey, as well as the Revised Iowa Dental Control Index, and Desirability of Control scales. As part of another experiment, 141 study participants with dental injection phobia completed the Revised Dental Beliefs Survey and the Dental Anxiety Scale.

RESULTS

Both the internal and test-retest reliabilities of the Revised Dental Beliefs Survey were high. The measure demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validities.

CONCLUSION

The Revised Dental Beliefs Survey is well-suited for use with clinical and nonclinical populations, in which a stable and valid measure of perceptions of the dental situation is desired.

The contribution of embarrassment to phobic dental anxiety: a qualitative research study

BACKGROUND

Embarrassment is emphasized, yet scantily described as a factor in extreme dental anxiety or phobia. Present study aimed to describe details of social aspects of anxiety in dental situations, especially focusing on embarrassment phenomena.

METHODS

Subjects (Ss) were consecutive specialist clinic patients, 16 men, 14 women, 20-65 yr, who avoided treatment mean 12.7 yr due to anxiety. Electronic patient records and transcribed initial assessment and exit interviews were analyzed using QSR"N4" software to aid in exploring contexts related to social aspects of dental anxiety and embarrassment phenomena. Qualitative findings were co-validated with tests of association between embarrassment intensity ratings, years of treatment avoidance, and mouth-hiding behavioral ratings.

RESULTS

Embarrassment was a complaint in all but three cases. Chief complaints in the sample: 30% had fear of pain; 47% cited powerlessness in relation to dental social situations, some specific to embarrassment and 23% named co-morbid psychosocial dysfunction due to effects of sexual abuse, general anxiety, gagging, fainting or panic attacks. Intense embarrassment was manifested in both clinical and non-clinical situations due to poor dental status or perceived neglect, often (n = 9) with fear of negative social evaluation as chief complaint. These nine cases were qualitatively different from other cases with chief complaints of social powerlessness associated with conditioned distrust of dentists and their negative behaviors. The majority of embarrassed Ss to some degree inhibited smiling/laughing by hiding with lips, hands or changed head position. Secrecy, taboo-thinking, and mouth-hiding were associated with intense embarrassment. Especially after many years of avoidance, embarrassment phenomena lead to feelings of self-punishment, poor self-image/esteem and in some cases personality changes in a vicious circle of anxiety and avoidance. Embarrassment intensity ratings were positively correlated with years of avoidance and degree of mouth-hiding behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Embarrassment is a complex dental anxiety manifestation with qualitative differences by complaint characteristics and perceived intensity. Some cases exhibited manifestations similar to psychiatric criteria for social anxiety disorder as chief complaint, while most manifested embarrassment as a side effect.

General self-efficacy, dental anxiety and multiple fears among 20-year-olds in Norway

This paper examines the extent to which low general self-efficacy and painful dental and medical experiences are related to dental anxiety, multiple fears and to avoidance of dental care. A total of 754 20-year-olds completed a series of questionnaires, including the General Self-efficacy Scale (GSE), Geer Fear Scale (GFS) and Dental Fear Survey (DFS). Females had lower self-efficacy, higher dental anxiety and higher scores on the GFS than males. Multivariate analyses (linear stepwise regression) indicated that painful dental experiences, a high score on the GFS and negative opinions about own dental health explained 37% of the variance in DFS scores. Self-efficacy had no predictive power for dental anxiety, and only dental anxiety had predictive power for dental avoidance behavior. Thirty-eight percent of the total variance in GFS scores was explained by the following variables: being a female, high dental anxiety (DFS), low general self-efficacy (GSE) and low educational level of the mother.

Fear of dental care: are we making any progress?

BACKGROUND

Dental anxiety has been a well-studied phenomenon since the late 1960s. The purpose of this literature review was to compare self-reported levels of dental anxiety during the past 50 years.

METHODS

The authors reviewed more than 200 articles and examined 19 studies involving more than 10,000 adults to assess any trends in dental anxiety. They investigated mean anxiety scores for college students and general adult samples using four measures of dental anxiety. Comparisons were made across publication year and location of study.

RESULTS

Analyses of variance suggest stability in dental anxiety scores over time and region within both types of study samples. Regardless of assessment length (single item or multi-item), the authors found no significant trends suggesting an increase or decrease in self-reported anxiety levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that despite an increase in general anxiety within the United States during the past 50 years, dental anxiety seems to have remained stable throughout the period.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The authors discuss the stable trend of self-reported dental anxiety levels in the context of increasing general anxiety in the United States and the current structure of individual dental practices.

Reducing patients' state anxiety in general dental practice: a randomized controlled trial

Anxiety assessment by questionnaire provides information for the dentist and may also confer a psychological benefit on patients. This study tested the hypothesis that informing dentists about patients' dental anxiety prior to commencement of treatment reduces patients' state anxiety. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving eight General Dental Practitioners in North Wales. Participants included patients attending their first session of dental treatment, and accumulating a score of 19 or above, or scoring 5 on any one question, of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Patients (n = 119) completed Spielberger's state anxiety inventory (STAI-S) pre- and post-treatment and were randomly allocated to intervention (dentist informed of MDAS score) and control (dentist not informed) groups. Intervention patients showed greater reduction in mean change STAI-S scores (F[1,119] = 8.74, P < 0.0001). Providing the dentist with information of the high level of a patient's dental anxiety prior to treatment, and involving the patient in this, reduced the patient's state anxiety.