The role of negative and positive memories in fear of dental treatment

Does Social Media Increase Perioperative Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Impacted Third Molar Surgery?

BACKGROUND

In anticipation of third molar surgery, patients may experience increased anxiety. Patients frequently access social media platforms and view content about surgical treatments.

PURPOSE

The study purpose was to measure the level of perioperative anxiety of patients scheduled for third molar surgery exposed to social media and identify factors associated with patient anxiety.

STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE

This is a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing impacted mandibular third molar surgery from September 2021 to August 2022 at the outpatient clinic of Cukurova University School of Dentistry.

PREDICTOR VARIABLE

The predictor variable was level of exposure to viewing third molar surgery-related social media before the surgery. Subjects were divided into 2 groups based on social media viewing preferences at their own discretion: the control group involved patients who did not view social media and study group involved patients who viewed social media before the surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES

The outcome variables were patients' anxiety levels assessed using Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory.

COVARIATES

Covariates were age, sex, education level, history of previous dentist visit, and impacted third molar surgery.

ANALYSES

Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test, Kruskal-Wallis test, one-way analysis of variance, and post hoc tests were used according to data. Level of significance was set at P < .05.

RESULTS

The study sample comprised 162 patients; 82 (50.6%) patients were in the control group and 80 (49.4%) were in the social media group. The Modified Dental Anxiety Scale scores of the social media group (11.95 ± 4.50) were statistically higher than the control group (9.66 ± 4.28) (P = .001). The Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory scores of the social media group (46.43 ± 5.80) were statistically higher than the control group (44.52 ± 5.53) (P = .03). There were statistical differences in anxiety levels considering some covariates. In social media group, there were some statistical differences in anxiety levels of patients who viewed different social media type and content.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

Patients who viewed social media on their own preferences before the surgery had higher perioperative anxiety compared to those who did not. The effects of demographic variables, different social media types and content on perioperative anxiety should be taken into account during stress management of the patients.

Exploring young adults' fears related to healthcare and dental procedures

Background and Purpose

Fear and anxiety related to dental and healthcare procedures are common among young adults and can negatively impact dental and healthcare consumership, resulting in poor health outcomes.

Purpose

This cross-sectional study aimed to examine young adults' experiences of fear related to dental and healthcare procedures and the potential relationships between the two forms of fear experiences and demographic factors.

Methods

Young adults (252) were recruited from a large public university and completed a survey about their dental and healthcare fear/anxiety as well as their confidence in healthcare professionals. Descriptive and correlational analyses were completed to describe the experiences of young adults and the relationships between variables.

Results

Ten types of fear/anxiety were identified related to healthcare procedures, with the most common being needles and pain. Nine fears/anxieties were identified for dental visits, of which pain and sensory experiences other than pain were most common. Female participants were significantly more likely to report fear/anxiety related to dental procedures, and there was a statistically significant relationship between fear/anxiety related to healthcare procedures and that related to dental procedures. There was also a significant negative relationship found between confidence in healthcare providers and fear/anxiety related to healthcare procedures.

Conclusions

Young adults experience fear/anxiety related to healthcare and dentist visits, and this fear/anxiety can impact their confidence in healthcare providers, such as primary physicians. The findings of the current study suggest primary care providers should be aware of potential fears/anxieties and offer patients appropriate supports.

The relationship between childhood interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma and autobiographical memory: a systematic review

Childhood trauma can have negative effects on several domains of mental functioning, including Autobiographical Memory (AM). Conflicting results emerge in the scientific literature regarding the effects of childhood trauma on AM. In this review, we explored the relationship between the childhood trauma and AM, classifying childhood trauma as interpersonal, non-interpersonal and overall (interpersonal and non-interpersonal). We carried out a systematic literature review, following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA statement). From searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, we identified 48 studies conducted from 2014 to 2023, which were included when they: (a) were written in English, (b) investigated the relationship between AM and childhood trauma, (c) included a sample of children, adolescents, or adults who had experienced childhood interpersonal and/or non-interpersonal trauma. Of the 48 eligible studies, 29 referred to trauma of an interpersonal nature, 12 to trauma of a non-interpersonal nature, and 7 to overall trauma. Regarding the relationship between childhood trauma and AM, 24 studies found a negative relationship between childhood interpersonal trauma and AM; among the articles on non-interpersonal trauma, 10 studies found no relevant relationship; in the studies on overall trauma, 4 articles found negative relationship between overall trauma and AM. The literature explored in our systematic review supports the prevalence of a negative relationship between interpersonal childhood trauma and AM. This relationship is present regardless of psychiatric disorders (e.g., Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Personality Disorders), and in the presence of the latter, AM results even more fragmented. Future research should use more accurate methodologies in identifying and classifying childhood trauma in order to more precisely determine its effect on AM.

Evaluation of Children's Anxiety Level in Relation to a Dental Visit/Treatment and Their Parents' Dental Fear

The patients' fear of the dentist plays an important role in the everyday life of a dentist. The anxiety level of children in relation to dental treatment/visits and to their parents' dental fear was evaluated in three different centers. Assessments of a modified CFSS-DS (mCFSS-DS) were performed by questionnaire with 60 children and their parents. Children's dmft/DMFT scores, age and gender were evaluated in relation to the parents' perception of their child's anxiety levels. For statistical evaluation, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests as well as Spearman's correlation coefficient (Spearman) were used. The significance level was set at 0.05. There were no significant differences regarding children's mCFSS-DS between the three centers (p = 0.398, Kruskal-Wallis). The parents' mCFSS-DS scores correlated significantly with their children's mCFSS-DS scores (p = 0.004, Spearman). However, the mean mCFSS-DS score of the children was significantly higher than the mean score of parents' perception of their child's anxiety (p = 0.000, Wilcoxon). The age of the child had an influence on the mCFSS-DS score (p = 0.02, Kruskal-Wallis) but neither the children's gender (p = 0.170, Kruskal-Wallis), nor the dmft/DMFT showed an impact (p < 0.725, Spearman). Although a positive correlation was found between the results of the children's and parents' questionnaire, many parents underestimated the anxiety level of their children.

Investigate the role of positive and negative memories from dentistry in the anxiety of dental patients in Kerman, Iran

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Several research works show that anxiety is more common in women, low-income classes, and middle-aged and elderly populations. The present study aimed to investigate the role of positive and negative memories in patients' anxiety referred to the dental clinics, offices, and schools of Kerman, Iran, in 2018-2019.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study, the participants were selected among individuals referred to the dental offices, schools, and clinics of Kerman, Iran. In this study, 500 questionnaires were distributed among the participants (based on census method), and of these, 482 of which were reviewed (response rate = 96.4%). The questionnaire used in this study contained four categories of questions, including demographic information, general questions about dentistry, Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale, and Autobiographical Memory Questionnaire. Analysis of variance, t-test, and Chi-square test were used to analyze.

RESULTS

Overall, 281 participants were female, and 201 were male. Based on the findings, dental visits were enjoyable and pleasant experiences for 154 participants, and 165 patients were anxious while the dentist prepared for a restorative treatment. This study showed that people with negative memories had more anxiety. Anxiety was also significantly associated with positive memories, higher education, and gender (female) (P < 0.05). Also, the most negative memories of dental treatments were associated with increased anxiety about dental treatments in adults (P < 0.05), while positive memories did not have a relationship any with decreased anxiety (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The most negative memories of dental treatments were associated with increased anxiety about dental treatments in adults, while positive memories did not have any expected inverse relationship with anxiety.

Child behaviour during dental care under nitrous oxide sedation: a cohort study using two different gas distribution systems

Purpose

Conscious sedation by inhalation of a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen (CS) is a technique used in dental care for anxious, handicapped or uncooperative patients. The very special objective of this cohort study is to compare the behaviour of young patients during dental care under CS in two hospitals using different gas distribution systems.

Methods

Young patients were divided into four categories: young child (YC), phobic anxiety (PA), mental disorder (MD), occasional indication (OI). Differences in behaviour scale at various time points according to the sedation system used were established and compared using Mann–Whitney tests.

Results

This study showed that there is no difference in behaviour during dental care in YC after sedation. In PA, a significant difference in behaviour is only observed during local anaesthesia (p = 0.024).

Conclusion

No significant differences detected in children’s behaviour under conscious sedation using different gas administration systems. The delicate stage of local anaesthesia in PA patients can be facilitated with repeated sessions of dental care under conscious sedation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s40368-020-00569-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorised users.

Influence of the previous dental visit experience in seeking dental care among young adults

Introduction:

Dental fear is one of the highly prevalent types of fear which deters patients from seeking dental cares.

Aim:

This study aims to assess the influence of a previous dental visit experience for seeking dental care among adults.

Methodology:

Young adults (n = 150, 15–26 years) with previous dental visit for care were selected randomly among outpatients’ visit in tertiary dental teaching hospital. To assess the influence of previous experience of dental visit in seeking care, we self-administered a Post-traumatic Check List-Civilian Version [posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)], an Autobiographical Memory Questionnaire (AMQ), and a Dental Fear Survey (DFS). The relationship of negative and positive experience of previous dental treatment, dental fear, and symptoms of PTSD was assessed using Pearson's correlations. Spearman's rho was used to find out the correlation between the DFS and PCL-C and history of dental treatment undergone.

Results:

The mean score of the DFS and PCL-C was found to be 69.57 and 40.17, respectively. The characteristics of the most negative experience including physical reactions (P = 0.936), emotional intensity (P = 0.935), sight (P = 0.941), smell (P = 0.917), and sound (P = 0.911) of dental treatment showed a significant relationship with dental fear, whereas the characteristics of the most positive memory of dental treatment showed only a few statistically significant associations with dental fear. Most of the symptoms of PTSD also show significant associations (P < 0.05) with characteristics of the most negative memory. Spearman's correlation between the DFS and the PCL-C was also statistically significant, r (150) =0.365, indicating that dental fear is indeed associated with symptoms of PTSD.

Conclusion:

There is a significant association between the characteristics of the most negative experiences of dental treatment and increased dental fear in young adults, while positive experiences did not show the inverse relationship with dental fear.

Effect of Verbal and Written Information and Previous Surgical Experience on Anxiety During Third Molar Extraction

PURPOSE

Third molar extraction is a quite common surgical procedure that causes dental anxiety. This procedure affects patients physiologically and mentally. The type of information provided to patients is important to determine the level of their anxiety regarding the surgical procedure. Patients' experience is also a major determinant of dental anxiety. It is subjective and perceived only by the patient. Questionnaires are tools used to determine and assess patient anxiety. The present study evaluated the effect of verbal and written information and the previous surgical experience of patients on their anxiety before and after third molar extraction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 66 patients who had been admitted for third molar extraction under local anesthesia were included. The patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 was given verbal information, group 2 was given written information, and group 3 had had previous surgical experience. The Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), Dental Fear Scale (DFS), Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and visual analog scale (VAS) were used pre- and postoperatively to evaluate dental anxiety.

RESULTS

The MDAS and VAS scores of all patients had decreased postoperatively (P = .012 and P < .001, respectively). The postoperative MDAS and VAS scores were lower than the preoperative scores in women (P = .007 and P < .001, respectively). The postoperative MDAS (P = .014 and P = .004, respectively) and VAS (P < .001 and P = .002) scores had decreased compared with the preoperative scores in groups 2 and 3. The preoperative and postoperative MDAS and VAS scores were similar in group 1. In addition, the preoperative and postoperative STAI-S and DFS scores were similar in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

All patients should be adequately informed about the third molar extraction procedure, even if they have previous experience. Providing detailed information reduced the postoperative anxiety of the patients.

Non-operative control of cavitated approximal caries lesions in primary molars: a prospective evaluation of cases

The effect of non-operative caries control at cavity level is often questioned. This prospective study of cases aimed to evaluate the suitability of non-operative treatment of active cavitated approximal caries lesions in primary molars by assessing clinical changes of lesions over time. Further, we evaluate children's and parents' attitudes in response to non-operative cavity treatment. Thirty-nine children attending a community dental service, aged 5-11 years, joined the evaluation based on the following criteria: (i) the presence of at least one active cavitated caries lesion in the distal surface of first primary molar or mesial surface of the second primary molar extending up to two-thirds into dentin assessed radiographically, (ii) the absence of spontaneous pain, (iii) the absence of pulpal or periapical pathology. After informed consent, one randomly selected lesion per child had overhanging enamel margins adjusted and was treated non-operatively by the child/parent performing daily site-specific oral hygiene with a fluoridated toothpaste, supplemented by professional topical fluoride treatment and dietary advice. Nine lesions/children dropped out. Fifteen lesions survived without pulpal or periapical pathology for an average of 26 m (range 9-44). Lesion failure was associated with poor compliance or lesions not suited for the method. Children and parents were highly satisfied with the treatment. Our study identifies key factors in the performance of non-operative cavity treatment in a dental practice setting. It is concluded that non-operative cavity treatment can be a helpful method to control caries lesion progression in primary teeth and may familiarise the child with dental treatment.