dentist

Making the Dentist Fun: How “Scenario-Experiential” Play is Solving Pediatric Dental Fear

by

For many parents, a trip to the dentist with a preschooler feels like preparing for battle. The buzzing tools, the sterile smells, and the bright lights can trigger Children’s Dental Fear (CDF)—a common issue that doesn’t just make the appointment difficult; it can actually compromise the quality of the treatment. However, a new study registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (October 2024) offers a promising solution. Researchers found that a “scenario-experiential” behavior management plan can significantly lower anxiety and make the dental chair a much friendlier place. What is Scenario-Experiential Behavior Management? Traditional pediatric dentistry often relies on “Tell-Show-Do” techniques. While effective, it can still feel passive for the child. Scenario-experiential management takes it a step further by turning the dental visit into an interactive game. Before the actual treatment begins, children in the study participated in a “scenario … Read more

Conquering the Dental Chair: Online CBT Offers New Hope for Dental Anxiety

by

For countless individuals, the thought of a dental appointment triggers a cascade of anxiety, fear, and even avoidance. This “dental anxiety” isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s a significant barrier to maintaining good oral health, often leading to delayed treatments and worsening conditions. But what if a simple, accessible online tool could help turn that fear into a manageable experience? A groundbreaking 12-month clinical trial, recently published, in the article “Online Cognitive-Behavioural Intervention to Manage Dental Anxiety: A 12-Month Randomised Clinical Trial” (P. I. Marisol Tellez et al., published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology) investigated the effectiveness of a brief online cognitive-behavioral therapy (o-CBT) protocol in reducing dental anxiety over a 12-month period. The study involved 499 adult dental patients with high dental anxiety, randomized into three groups: an intervention group assisted by psychology staff (PI), an intervention group assisted by … Read more

Is the Era of Routine Wisdom Tooth Extraction Fading?

by

For generations, the removal of wisdom teeth has been near a universal experience for young American adults, a common “rite of passage” in the journey to adulthood. Yet, recent trends suggest this long-held tradition might be shifting. A new analysis by Alexander Rossell Hayes, a Senior Data Scientist at YouGov, see https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/52483-young-american-adults-challenge-the-conventional-wisdom-on-tooth-removal, shows that young American adults are far less likely to have had their wisdom teeth removed compared to their older counterparts. This isn’t just about age and it reflects an evolving understanding of dental health and a challenge to conventional wisdom that has historically dictated widespread extraction. The decline in wisdom tooth removals isn’t a sudden phenomenon. It aligns closely with significant shifts in professional recommendations over the past two decades. As early as 2000, the UK’s National Institute for Clinical Excellence began discouraging routine removal of undiseased … Read more

Pain Management in Pediatric Dentistry

by

An interesting article titled “Provider perspectives on pain management practices and needs in pediatric dentistry,” written by Melissa Pielech and Caroline Sawicki appears in the Journal of the American Dental Association (published October 25, 2023). The article sought to assess the pediatric dentists use of and attitudes toward evidence-based pain management strategies. To better understand dental pain management in children, the authors surveyed 625 pediatric dentists and residents. The dentists and residents were sent a 27-item online survey to assess attitudes about evidence-based pain management, tools, and practices and opinions regarding areas for improving pain management. Among the respondents, 89% were dentists and 11% were residents. The majority of respondents thought that pain management is an important aspect of clinical care in pediatric dentistry and believe it is necessary to improve pain management practices. Dentists and residents said that they … Read more

Dentists can help prevent opioid deaths

by

An interesting blog post from the California Dental Association titled “Dentists can help prevent fentanyl deaths” News Articles, 2023, Community, Patient Care, Practice Management, Clinical, encouages Californian based dentists to play an active role in community efforts of the opioid/fentanyl crisis and in particular to help toraise awareness and increase access to naloxone. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that is estimated to be 50-100 times more powerful than morphine. Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that helps to reverse opioid overdoses.  Narcan used to be limited for access without a prescription. In July 2023, the U.S. FDA approved two naloxone nasal sprays: Narcan and RiVive, which can now be purchased in over the counter at drug stores, grocery stores, and gas stations. Now the the dental board of California requires dentists to take continuing education courses on opioid prescribing to renew their licenses. In partnership … Read more