title: A clinical guide to needle desensitization for the paediatric patient.
abstract: Needle phobia is a common problem encountered by dental practitioners and it can pose a challenge, especially in the paediatric patient. Needle desensitization can be used for patients who have needle fear or phobia and help them overcome this by repeated, non-threatening and controlled contacts. This paper will describe an accepted technique of needle desensitization and work through the steps required to achieve a successful outcome of local anaesthesia being delivered in a calm, safe and controlled manner. Clinical Relevance: Needle desensitization is an effective technique which can be used to enable a needle phobic patient to receive a dental injection.
authors.forename: Greig D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology*; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology*; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D032763:Behavior Control; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003142:Communication; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic / Q000379:methods*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology; D009339:Needles; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D013594:Syringes
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D005782:Gels