Dental anxiety, communication and the dental team : responses to fearful patients

Abstract

Dental anxiety often persists through lack of good communication skills. Dental health professionals (DPHs) can use the treatment alliance to prevent dental anxiety from developing. DPHs should assist dentally anxious patients by encouraging them to express their fears early on. The DHP is advised to acknowledge patients’ emotions, spend two to three minutes to learn about specific patient-centered issues and modify the treatment procedures accordingly. We also caution about the ineffectiveness of sedation for treating dental anxiety.