title: Potential fear-provoking patient experiences during treatment.
abstract: During a four-month period in 1998, 250 new patients arriving at the General Dentistry Clinic of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding behavior by dental professionals and its effect on dental care. Surveys were returned by 121 women and 82 men, who evaluated seven behaviors from five previously determined categories of anxiety. Age and gender were the only factors considered in analyzing the results. The data suggest that dentists often may exhibit a variety of negative behaviors and attitudes. These can cause increased levels of concern in patients and may act as fear-provoking stimuli, leading to increased fear and avoidance of dental treatment.
authors.affiliation: Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine, One Kneeland Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forgione
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hwang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001900:Boston; D003142:Communication; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000523:psychology*; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D013242:Sterilization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires