Communication skills: dental anxiety and breaking bad news Flashcards
What are the 2 types of communication skills dentists need to communicate?
Content - What dentists communicate
Process - How dentists communicate
What is meant by the patient-centred approach?
Dentist tries to enter the patient’s world to see the illness, symptoms, condition through the patients eyes
What are the 5 main steps to the CCF?
- initiating the session
- Gathering info
- Physical examination
- Explanation and planning
- Closing the session
What is dental anxiety?
General state of apprehension prepared for something nefative to happen - anticipated dread
What is dental phobia?
Severe anxiety which results in avoidance or endurance of situation with significant discomfort - out of proportion to the actual event and level of avoidance
What % of people have moderate and extreme dental anxiety?
36% moderate
12% extreme
45% named fear of the dentist as the barrier to dental care
If have extreme anxiety what is the patient behaviour?
Frequently cancels or shows up late
Resists treatment
High stress for the patient and your team
If have moderate anxiety what is the patient behaviour?
Not pro-active in dental health, requires more time
talks through procedures
resists recommended treatment plans
Low referrals
If have low anxiety what is the patient behaviour?
Easier to treat more compliant open to treatment plans Tongue battles, gagging and tense jaw Fair referral source
What is the cycle of dental problems?
Dental fear
Delayed visiting
Dental problems
Symptom driven treatment
What is the impact of dental anxiety on the patient?
No dental care
Delayed treatment
More restorative treatment
What is the impact of dental anxiety on the dental team
Missed appointments
Higher levels of stress
Administrative and financial problems; lowered satisfaction and health and well-being
How can dental fear and anxiety affect the dentist?
Contribute to occupational stress for the clinician by absorbing patients anxiety
Being dissatisfied about the quality of treatment they are able to provide
What are the causes of dental anxiety?
Learning
Uncertaincy - fear of the unknown; lack of control, inadequate information
Personality
How is learning a cause of anxiety?
Traumatic/negative experiences (classical conditioning)
Friends/family/media (observational/vicarious)