[A dissociative patient].
A 45-year-old woman attended a centre for special dental care. Initially, it seemed that the patient suffered from an extreme form of dental anxiety. However, the fact that she displayed 'dissociations' suggested that she had a severe psychiatric disorder, in this case Dissociative Identity Disorder. The key feature of this condition is a dysfunction of the normal integrative functions of identity, memory and consciousness. In such instances it is recommended to contact a psychologist or psychiatrist and the referring care provider to consider the consequences of the psychiatric condition regarding informed consent, treatment plan and actual treatment. Because it was not likely that the patient would respond to an intervention specifically aimed to reduce anxiety in the dental setting, dental treatment under general anesthesia was the best suited option.
de Jongh
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Sectie Sociale Tandheelkunde en Voorlichtingskunde, Academisch Centrum Tandheelkunde Amsterdam (ACTA), Amsterdam. a.de.jongh@acta.nl
Abkhezr
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Broers
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D000768:Anesthesia, General; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003729:Dental Care / Q000379:methods*; D009105:Dissociative Identity Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged