Whilst modern dentistry offers patients a relatively comfortable experience, one of the biggest challenges when it comes to providing effective care is managing dental fear and anxiety. Dentistry often has a bad reputation amongst patients, with the majority still very apprehensive in the run up to dental appointments and being afraid of the dentist is the norm. Research even suggests that people fear dentists/dentistry more than death.
However, modern solutions may have the answer to managing discomfort during assessments and procedures. When it comes to minimising the pain felt by patients, it’s important to look at the psychology of pain, and consider aspects that might be useful to implement in the dental practice.
Psychology of pain
It is easy to think of pain as a purely physical response, triggered by a signal sent from an injury as a nerve impulse to the brain. However, pain is complex, with the subjective experience of pain sometimes having little to do with the nervous system, and more to do with the mind. People have different tolerance levels for pain, meaning that pain is subjective, and can be influenced by several external factors.
In some cases, the expectation of pain makes the response more intense. A survey revealed that Chinese patients felt that tooth drilling is not always painful, whereas it was nearly always excruciating to American patients. As such, the use of local anaesthetic for dental procedures varies around the world. A study found that about half of Scandinavian patients did not receive anaesthetic for tooth drilling, compared to 90 per cent of Chinese patients, and less than 10 per cent of American patients. Whilst personal experiences of pain will undoubtedly influence the patient’s expectation, the research suggests that large scale social factors, influenced by portrayal of dental treatment in popular media, play a role too.
Further to this, it’s important to understand that not all patients experience pain in the same way and, sometimes, fear and anxiety can worsen the intensity of pain. Conversely, some people can be put into a state of mind that reduces the perception of pain. Given that fear and anxiety are common in dental patients, it’s important that clinicians consider techniques to minimise the experience of pain.
The use of virtual reality
Many studies have demonstrated that virtual reality (VR) is an effective tool for reducing pain and anxiety during dental treatment. Therefore, it is helpful for mitigating dental fear in patients. Specifically, one clinical study observed patients undergoing subgingival plaque removal. Its results showed a considerable reduction in pain when using VR compared with those who watched a film and those with no distraction.
Research suggests that, psychologically, the use of VR as a distraction may be particularly beneficial for patients with mild to moderate dental fear and anxiety. Dental practices might consider introducing VR to help reduce anxiety, discomfort, and boredom, as well as to shorten the time needed for dental procedures.
Immersive virtual environments may prove to be effective for reducing discomfort, and systems to deliver this are now more affordable than ever, with VR costs dropping significantly since the 90s. In addition, the quality and portability of VR has dramatically improved in recent years, to provide a more comfortable and immersive experience. Initial research around the use of VR in the dental practice is encouraging, demonstrating an effective way to minimise pain perception and improve relaxation.
Creating a calming environment
In addition to implementing modern technological solutions to promote patient relaxation, the design of your practice can also go a long way in keeping patients calm. Factors which might contribute to a feeling of calm in your dental practice range from the artwork in your waiting room, to your colour scheme. For example, artwork depicting nature, including landscapes, oceans, and flowers, is often chosen to reduce stress. Artwork can also be used to act as a distraction for anxious patients.
The colours you choose for your cabinetry can also influence patients’ moods. For example, blue has a relaxing and calming effect, whilst green offers a sense of freshness. Additionally, smaller pops of orange and pink can evoke happy emotions. The team at Clark Dental has 49 years of experience helping dentists build their dream practice. This means that they have a deep understanding of how to reflect your brand throughout your environment. When it comes to cabinetry, Clark Dental offers a wide-reaching portfolio from Edarredo, offering a modular design available in over 40 colours. This puts you in complete control of your practice design.
By taking into account the numerous creative ways to minimise patient anxiety, and reduce pain perception, clinicians are able to build positive relationships with patients. For the best outcomes it can be helpful to utilise a mixture of modern solutions, such as combining VR with a calming practice environment.
References available on request.
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