The effect of a separate consultation on anxiety levels before third molar surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The present study tested the effect of a separate consultation with an oral and maxillofacial surgeon on levels of anxiety before third molar extraction.


METHODS
Patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. Experimental subjects received standard information about third molar extraction in a separate consultation visit before the surgical procedure. Control subjects received the same information just before and at the same visit as the surgical third molar removal. All patients completed several questionnaires covering measures of anxiety and pain.


RESULTS
Having a separate consultation was highly appreciated by patients. However, no subsequent differences could be shown on the measures of anxiety. Strong associations between anxiety level and pain felt after the extraction were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The practice of having a separate consultation (and possibly a more intensive one) should be considered by surgeons.
van Wijk
Arjen
A
Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.vwijk@acta.nl
Lindeboom
Jerome
J
D000328:Adult; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011300:Preoperative Care; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000523:psychology*