Physiological measurements such as a higher pulse rate, perspiration, and peripheral
blood flow have been used to quantify children's dental anxiety. However, few
physiological signs are specific to one particular emotion and the measuring
techniques often provoke anxiety in the child patient, so they are rarely used.
As yet, there is no standard measure of dental anxiety for children as the
reproducibility and reliability of most questionnaires have not been demonstrated,
plus observational and physiological indices are not well developed. This is a serious
problem as the assessment of strategies to reduce anxiety is somewhat compromised
by a lack of universally accepted measuring techniques.
Fig. 2.11 Difficult patients can be a source of stress! (With thanks to David
Myers and kind permission of Eden Bianchi Press.)2.6 HELPING ANXIOUS PATIENTS TO COPE WITH DENTAL CARE
2.6.0 Introduction
A number of theories have been suggested in an effort to explain the development of
anxiety. Uncertainty about what is to happen is certainly a factor, a poor past
experience with a dentist could upset a patient, while others may learn anxiety
responses from parents, relations, or friends.
A dentist who can alleviate anxiety or prevent it happening in the first place will
always be popular with patients. Clearly, the easiest way to control anxiety is to
establish an effective preventive programme so that children do not require any
treatment. In addition to an effective preventive regimen it is important to establish a
trusting relationship, listening to a child's specific worries and concerns. Every effort
must be taken to ensure that any treatment is pain-free. All too often we forget that