Epilepsy is a common symptom of an underlying neurological disorder. The seizures can take a variety of forms. Both the condition and its medical management can affect oral health. Prevention of oral disease and carefully planned dental treatment are essential to the well-being of people with epilepsy.

Objective-To investigate whether the relationship between dental anxiety and referral for treatment under sedation is explained by attendance patterns and oral health. Methods-Structural EquationModeling was used on the covariance matrix of the covariates to test hypothesized inter-relationships. Subsequently, we modeled the probability of referral for treatment under sedation with a multiple logistic regression taking into account inter-relationships between the independent variables.Results-A direct significant association of referral with dental anxiety and attendance patterns was detected but not with oral health status. However, oral health and anxiety were highly correlated. Also signaled were correlations between age and education and between gender and bad past experience.Conclusion-Referral for treatment under sedation appears to be motivated by both fear and irregular patterns of attendance. Coupled with behavioral treatments to address dental fear and attendance, sedation can part of comprehensive care where curative treatments are long or unpleasant for patients.

The increasing prevalence of sickle cell disease highlights the importance of dentists practising in multi-cultural communities having an understanding of this condition and its implications on their clinical practice. This will facilitate the safe management of patients with sickle cell disease.

The perceptions of individuals with dental phobia of the acceptability of behavioural approaches to management are influenced by the perceived outcome of the treatment.