[Treatment of anxious patients in special dental care centers. From local initiatives to organized dentistry].
OBJECTIVE
Since the eighties, dental treatment of extremely anxious adult patients became possible in centres for special dental care. In 1996 regulations were formulated about dental treatment for extremely anxious dental patients in these centres. The aim of the present study is to determine how dental treatment of these patients was organised before the regulations were formulated.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
Twelve centres for special dental care where the largest numbers of anxious patients were treated.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were held with dentists working in these centres.


RESULTS
The results indicate that not (yet) everywhere dentists work according to the regulations. In addition, questionnaires to determine the dental anxiety level and the indications for the different treatment modalities differed between the centres.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of the centres do not have the capacity to treat the number of patients seeking treatment. It is recommended that research should determine the efficacy of treatment in the centres and should assess which treatment modality is most appropriate for which patient.
Aartman
I H
IH
Afdeling Sociale Tandheelkunde en Voorlichtingskunde, Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam (ACTA), Louwesweg 1, 1066 EA Amsterdam.
Eijkman
M A
MA
Makkes
P C
PC
D000328:Adult; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Behandeling van angstige patiënten in instellingen voor bijzondere tandheelkunde. Van lokale initiatieven tot overkoepelend orgaan.