CBT Flashcards
What is CBT?
Cognitive behavioural therapy
A psychological therapy that provides psychoeducation and uses behavioural modification techniques and cognitive restructuring skills to challenge unhelpful beliefs and behaviours
What is dental anxiety?
General type of fear- occurs without a present triggering stimulus
Emotional response to an unknown danger or perceived threat
Anticipatory due to previous negative experiences
What is dental fear?
An intense biological response to immediate danger which is specific
What is a dental phobia?
Clinical mental disorder
Overwhelming and debilitating fear of an object, place or situation
Interference of daily life
What is the aetiology of a dental fear/anxiety?
Direct experiences
Observations (learn to be afraid by watching other people)
What you are told
Personality
Genes
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs/Trauma)
What is trauma?
An event of actual or extreme threat of physical or psychological harm which an individual experiences as traumatic, and which causes long-lasting effects
Can be single incident trauma or complex trauma
What is the MDAS?
Modified dental anxiety scale
Structured, validated, self-report anxiety questionnaire
Score 5-25
- >19 severe anxiety/phobia
-5/5 on LA question
What can the patient expect from CBT?
Collaboration between patient and clinician to create a personalised plan
An understanding and the ability to test their negative thinking
Psychoeducation and learn coping skills
Learn to face anxiety and disengage from avoidance
They challenge their anxiety and learn to reduce their reliance upon the cyclic nature of treatment under sedation
What are the physiological components of anxiety?
Increased HR
Dryness of mouth
Increased perspiration
Butterflies in stomach
Flushed face
Increased muscle tension
Fight/flight/freeze response
What are the behavioural components of dental anxiety?
Avoidance
Disruptive behaviour
Increased muscle tension
How can a patient work on breaking the cycle of dental fear?
Breathing control
Relaxation
Stepping back
Grounding
Stopping if it becomes too much
