Pain and Dentistry

Question 1

what is pain ?

Answer 1

a complex, multi - dimensional and subjective emotion

Question 2

what are the 2 dimensions of pain?

Answer 2

sensory and affective

Question 3

what is meant by the sensory dimension of pain ?

Answer 3

how much it hurts, threatening context, accompanied by desire to end/reduce pain or escape

Question 4

what is meant by the affective dimension of pain ?

Answer 4

unpleasant emotional feelings, feelings about the long term implication of pain, anxiety, depression, anger, impact on life - routine, sleep, work

Question 5

how many work days per year are lost due to orofacial pain ?

Answer 5

5.2 million

Question 6

how can an individuals personality affect their pain perception ?

Answer 6

neurotics rated pain as more unpleasant and rated impact on life as much greater,
individuals with low optimism - low pain tolerance and high pain unpleasantness,
depressed - no reduced pain

Question 7

what are the 3 components of pain ?

Answer 7

sensory (discrimination),
affective (motivation),
cognitive (evaluation)

Question 8

how is pain measured physiologically ?

Answer 8

cortisol, heart rate, respiration, GSR (perspiration)

Question 9

what self reported methods are used to measure pain ?

Answer 9

visual analogue scales,

pain questionnaires

Question 10

what factors can influence an individuals decision to request analgesia ?

Answer 10

culture and personality - extroverts request for more analgesia
staff responses - differences according to gender

Question 11

how does being observed affect an individuals facial expression of pain?

Answer 11

fewer grimaces, lower pain ratings, reduced physiological response
eyes most important

Question 12

what are the consequences of painful and inconsiderate dental treatment during adolescence ?

Answer 12

painful treatment - 5x less likely to return to dentist

painful treatment and lack of control - 16x less likely to return to dentist, 14x more likely to he highly fearful

Question 13

what are the advantages of early detection of pain during childhood ?

Answer 13

prevents invasive treatments/GA’s,
reduces anxiety,
reduced impact on family life

Question 14

how is pain recognised in children ?

Answer 14

rely more on changes in behaviour e.g. not eating, sleeping, poor behaviour, trying, muscle tension, facial expressions

Question 15

how can pain be alleviated at the sensory stage ?

Answer 15

destroy neural pathways with drugs

Question 16

how can pain be alleviated at the affective stage ?

Answer 16

distraction - perform mental task, optimism,

enhancing control - influence rather than avoid experience (hand stop signals)

Question 17

what factors affect the success of hypnosis in pain control ?

Answer 17

perceived control over pain, imagery vividness, outcome expectancies after first session

Question 18

What is included in the dental discomfort questionnaire ?

Answer 18

Problems brushing upper/lower teeth
Refuses to eat something nice 
Crying during eating 
Touches cheek when eating 
Bites with molars
Chews to one side 
Problems chewing