Anxiety in the Dental Chair: Pharmacological treatment

Abstract

Dental anxiety is a prevalent condition that affects a significant portion of the population and has a consequential effect on patient compliance, treatment outcomes, and therefore the overall oral health of the patient. This thesis explores the causes, physiological and psychological mechanisms, and consequences of dental anxiety and the pharmacological and the non-pharmacological management strategies. Pharmacological management includes the discussion of the various sedatives and anxiolytics used to deal with dental anxiety in patients and non-pharmacological interventions such as Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), Relaxation techniques, and Exposure therapy as alternative or supportive approaches to pharmacological treatment are also discussed. This thesis emphasizes the necessity of a complex approach to managing dental anxiety, integrating pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to enhance patient comfort, reduce the number of individuals avoiding dental care, and improve overall dental health outcomes.