Anxiety and other behavioral dysfunctions related to dentistry: a multidisciplinary approach.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to I Eli.
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In a longitudinal study conducted as part of a broad project dealing with socialization of health professionals in Israel, it was observed that during the course of professional socialization several major transformations occur in the dental student's image of the 'competent' dentist and in his self-image as a professional. Although students initially emphasized people-oriented traits as important to the competent dentist, this emphasis gradually decreased as their professional socialization advanced, concomitant with an increase in importance placed on status-oriented traits. The people-oriented elements likewise decreased in importance with regard to the student's self-image as professionals as they became more accustomed to professional reality. The correlation between these variables indicates the changes occurring in the students' acceptance or rejection of various aspects of their chosen profession throughout their years of study.
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Glossodynia affects primarily middle-aged women. Although many possible etiologies have been proposed for the syndrome, most have not been substantiated. In the present study 56 glossodynia patients were evaluated for their psychopathologic profile as reflected by the SCL-90 questionnaire. The data show that glossodynia patients present a relatively high psychopathologic profile, especially on the scales of somatization and depression. Significant correlations were found between the intensity of pain experienced by the patients and some of the SCL-90 scales (somatization, depression, anxiety, GSI and PSDI). No correlations were found between SCL-90 scores and duration of symptoms, prevalence of symptoms per day and patient's condition during the past year. Patients living alone were found to differ significantly from those living with a significant other (overall group effect significant at the 0.01 level). The data suggest that psychopathologic trends may be associated with glossodynia.
Oral malodor (halitosis) is a common concern in Western society. As with other human perceptions, emotional as well as cognitive variables play a major role in one's sensation and complaint. To study factors potentially associated with the complaint of oral malodor, periodontal and psychological evaluations were carried out on 38 subjects (66% female, mean age 43 years) with a complaint of oral malodor. Subjects underwent evaluation of their periodontal status, odor evaluation by an odor judge, and psychopathological symptom survey by means of the SCL-90 questionnaire. The patient's self-rating of oral odor was significantly higher than the evaluation of an objective odor judge and was not associated with their periodontal status. The SCL-90 profile of subjects was relatively higher than that of an age- and gender-matched reference group of dental patients. The results suggest that the complaint of oral malodor may be related to psychopathological symptoms as recorded by the SCL-90 questionnaire.
Occasionally, a dental patient presents his/her dentist with a history of hypersensitivity to local anesthetic agents. The symptoms may include immediate reactions to the injection procedure (dizziness, shortness of breath, tachycardia, etc), or delayed reactions to the anesthetic (swelling, urticaria, etc). Although the true incidence of local anesthetic allergy is low, such a history often involves the patient's anxiety regarding the use of the drug in question, and the dentist's apprehension to treat the "problematic" patient. In such cases, hypnosis can play a major role in controlling pain and the associated distress. In the present article, the method concerning the implementation of hypnosis to induce local anesthesia is described and illustrated through case demonstrations.
PURPOSE: The effect of sealants on S. mutans presence in situ was investigated. METHODS: Four intact, fully erupted first permanent molars in each of 74 children, aged 6-8 years were required for inclusion in the study. Baseline examination included deft and plaque index. S. mutans presence on occlusal surfaces of the molars was evaluated, using a microbial replica method. Immediately after sealing the first permanent molars on one side, S. mutans presence in situ was re-evaluated, as well as three and six months thereafter. Three months after the initiation of the study, S. mutans presence was evaluated on the molars of the unsealed side, which were consequently sealed and re-evaluated immediately, and three months later. RESULTS: Positive correlation was found between deft scores, plaque indices and microbial replica values, at baseline. Sealing caused a significant reduction in S. mutans levels on the treated occlusal surfaces, in vivo (P < 0.001), which lasted, in most cases, up to six months. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that sealants enable a prolonged reduction of S. mutans presence in situ, indicating an additional prevention effect, by reducing one source of dissemination.
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Glass Ionomer cements are used in modern dentistry for various preventive purposes, one of which is the treatment of cervical caries lesions. Anticariogenic properties and the ability to bond to dentin and enamel are their main advantages. Since acid-etching of the tooth prior to glass ionomer placement is contraindicated, a "dry" defocused laser beam was used to enhance retention. The results indicate that finishing the cavity walls with a laser beam increased the marginal microleakage of the glass ionomer cement restorations. Thus, the procedure was apparently found unsuitable for clinical use.
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