Treating the Apprehensive Dental Patient
Course Overview
Many people have varying degrees of apprehension related to various aspects of dental treatment. Even patients who obtain regular dental care can have trepidation about dental procedures, especially those that are surgical in nature, those for which anesthetic injections are required, and restorative dentistry in which use of a high-speed hand-piece is required. Most people are able to obtain and complete proposed dental procedures despite their fears. However, some patients have levels of apprehension about dental treatment that make it difficult for them to schedule dental appointments and complete treatment that has been planned, and this course will focus on this group of patients. Highlights will include an exploration of the terminology used to describe the varying levels of dental apprehension and behavioral and/or pharmacological techniques that can be used to assist patients to complete dental treatment. Treatment modifications to decrease patients' fear about procedures, the most common dental situations which patients find stressful, the origins of many dental-based fears, and the adverse effects of stress on the dental staff will also be discussed.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Differentiate between the terms used to describe levels of dental apprehension.
- Discuss available tools to screen for dental fear and anxiety.
- Describe common theories about the origin of dental apprehension.
- List the most common situations or instruments that stimulate a stress response among dental patients.
- Identify common verbal and nonverbal signs that indicate a patient is apprehensive about ongoing dental treatment.
- Evaluate common behavior modification techniques used to treat apprehensive dental patients.
- List common pharmacologic agents for the treatment of apprehensive dental patients.
- Analyze the role of dental treatment modifications to assist in meeting the dental needs of apprehensive patients.
- Discuss how dental staff is affected by providing dental treatment for apprehensive patients.
About the Author/Presenter
Mark J. Szarejko, DDS, FAGD, received his dental degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985. He received fellowship from the Academy of General Dentistry in 1994.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
TRC Healthcare/ NetCE
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by TRC Healthcare/ NetCE. TRC Healthcare/NetCE is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Dental ADG Code: 153
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
