The Psychology of Dental Phobia

Psychiatric Illnesses and Dental Practice

Age Range and Prevalence

• 18-24 year olds account for 75% of psychiatric illnesses diagnosed
• 26.2% of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year
• 12.1% of adults reported they needed but did not receive any mental health services in the past year
• Prevalence of social anxiety disorder: 12.1%
• Prevalence of bipolar disorder: 2.6%

Comorbidities and Symptoms

• 37% of patients with a primary psychiatric diagnosis also have a substance use disorder
• Comorbidities commonly associated with psychiatric illness: substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders
• Two major symptoms required for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD): low mood and anhedonia
• Psychiatric illness is the second leading cause of disability worldwide

Managing Fearful Patients

• Important technique for managing fearful dental patients: gradual exposure
• Recommended approach for scheduling procedures for fearful dental patients: breaking down appointments into smaller, manageable steps
• Technique effective for anxious dental patients: relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation
• If a fearful dental patient complains of pain, their concerns should be taken seriously and addressed promptly
• Important aspect of the therapeutic relationship: empathy and active listening

Personality Disorders and Risk Factors

• Risk factor for developing dental anxiety: previous traumatic experience
• Characteristic of Dependent Clingers: needy, hostile, and belittling
• Main difference between Personality Style and Personality Disorder: flexibility and adaptability
• Feature of personality disorders in Cluster A: odd or eccentric behavior
• Risk factor associated with head and neck cancers: tobacco use

Cancer and Psychiatric Care

• Common psych presentation in dental practice associated with oral cancer: severe pain, depression, and anxiety
• Most lethal psychiatric disorder with mortality rates up to 4%: anorexia nervosa
• Leading cause of death in people with psychiatric illness: suicide
• Substance use disorder associated with dental erosion and dry mouth: cocaine use
• Recommended approach for conducting a brief motivational interviewing with patients: expressing empathy and avoiding argumentation

Therapeutic Relationships

• Term for the unconscious aspects of emotional relationships with early caregivers that are re-experienced with or transferred onto the physician: transference
• Term for the unconscious feelings experienced by the physician in working with the patient: countertransference