1. Introduction Flashcards
1
Q
Why is behavioural science important?
A
- easy to assume things are as they seem or as you think
- assumptions are untested theories - need to put them to rigorous scientific tests
- allows dentists to believe in facts rather than opinions
2
Q
How is behavioural science subjective?
A
- humans study human behaviour
- can’t separate ourselves from the study
- base expectations and beliefs on experiences we’ve had
- diversity is so important - need to be explicit about assumptions our models and approaches are based on
3
Q
Explain the behaviour iceberg theory
A
- observable behaviour is a small part of the experience
- we can see behaviours and results but not the beliefs, values, thinking and emotions that have led to it
- need to be tentative and open to questioning
4
Q
How can a dentist engage with behavioural science?
A
- ask what are my assumptions?
- what theories are there?
- what is the evidence?
- how can i test and apply my theories and evidence to a dental context?
5
Q
2 models of communication skills
A
- active listening
- motivational interviewing
6
Q
Advantages of both active listening and motivational interviewing
A
- both emphasise importance of cultivating a mutually respectful relationship
- makes it clear you are listening
- both frequently taught to staff groups in clinical care
7
Q
What did Wendy Levinson find about doctor patient interactions?
A
- doctors who have never been sued spend 18.3 mins on average with patients, orienting comments such as first, i will examine you then discuss any cocnerns etc and use active listening such as tell me more about that
- doctors who have been sued at least twice spend 15 minutes on average, have less patient-centred style but still provide same quality info and level of detail
8
Q
Procedure for Wendy Levinson’s research
A
- observers watched 4-10 second clips from doctor-patient conversations which were content-filtered and were asked to rate warmth, hostility, dominance and anxiousness
- on basis of this, could reliably predict which doctors would get sued
- most imp quality was dominance (sued group) versus concern (not sued group)
9
Q
What did Moore find out about dental anxiety?
A
- in 1993, in a Danish population of 208 ps
- 122 feared the whole process/feeling of powerlessness
- 106 feared drilling/sound
- 62 feared pain in treatment
- 45 feared needle
- subset of 80 ps were interviewed and commented that dentists should not make condescending remarks, act in dominant manner, appear too busy, not stop for pain, not talk at all, not explain things or use technical dental language
10
Q
What social impact of dentistry are people scared of? (Moore)
A
- 53/80 - 66% - of interviewed subset described being socially embarassed about dental fear problem and inability to do something about it
- most reported it had an impact on condition and appearance of teeth
11
Q
How did the dental fear come about? (Moore)
A
- 66/80 had traumatic dental experience (usually in childhood)
- in 20/80, was pain
- 24 were being held down
- 32 ‘hard-handed dentists’
- 13 couldn’t isolate a reason
12
Q
What does Armfield say causes dental fear?
A
- some people with traumatic dental experimental experiences do not end up with dental fear
- some people with dental fear did not have a traumatic experience
- in a survey of 1084 Australian adults, perceptions of dental treatment that it’s unpredictable, uncontrollable, dangerous and disgusting are more predictive of fear than previous dental experiences
13
Q
What is the vicious cycle of dental fear?
A
- dental fear and anxiety
- leads to delayed visiting
- leads to dental problems
- leads to symptom-driven treatment
- leads back to dental fear and anxiety
- evidence shows interaction between patient and dentist when they do attend treatment is important
14
Q
From Calladine, Currie and Penlington, going to the dentist worries me because …
A
- even though my teeth feel okay, i don’t know if they will tell me there is something wrong (63% agree)
- makes me worry my teeth are bad (61%)
- makes me feel vulnerable (54%)
- painful experience (39%)
15
Q
According to Clladine, Currie and Penlington, it would be helpful if the dentist …
A
- would tell me the condition of all my teeth, not just those that need treatment (86%)
- had a conversation with me at start of appointment about what will happen (82%)
- explained the meaning of the codes they’re using to assess my teeth (71%)
