[Extremely anxious patients: does treatment achieve the desired effect?].
The aim of the present study was to determine the outcome of treatment of several treatment modalities utilized at the Centre for Special Dental Care in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Outcome was assessed in 341 patients in terms of dental anxiety after treatment (response 65%) and dental attendance one year later (response 74%). After treatment, patients treated with a behavioral management approach had lower dental anxiety scores than patients treated with intravenous sedation. Furthermore, one year after treatment 66.7% of the treated patients indicated to visit a general dental practitioner regularly. It is concluded that treatment was effective. However, it was felt that dental attendance level could be increased by a change in the referral procedure to general dental practitioners. It is recommended that a psychologist is involved in diagnosis and treatment planning in dental fear clinics.
Aartman
I H
IH
Sectie Sociale Tandheelkunde en Voorlichtingskunde van het Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam (ACTA).
de Jongh
A
A
Makkes
P C
PC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome