Local pain management is the most critical aspect of patient care in dentistry. When efforts to achieve local anesthesia are unsuccessful, the resulting stress for both the patient and practitioner can be significant. It is imperative on our part to update our knowledge and skills in using newer alternatives in pain control and management and ways of administering them to increase the comfort level of our patients and resolve the clichéd paradigm of "Pain and Dentistry are inseparable". The improvements in techniques for local anesthesia are probably the most significant advances that have occurred in dental science. This paper provides an update on comparatively newer gadgets that are less commonly used to deliver local anesthetics.
Introduction: Dental anxiety negatively affects patients’ oral and overall health. This study explored attitudes and clinical practices of licensed Bihar general dentists who treat patients with dental anxiety.
Methods: An anonymous self-administered mail survey was sent to 250 general dentists licensed and practicing in Bihar. Responses to 21 pre-coded questions were analysed. Frequencies were examined; cross-tabs, Chi-Square, and Fischer’s Exact Test were calculated for statements according to dentists’ gender. Alpha was set at p = 0.05.
Results: Nearly all respondents treated anxious patients; males were more likely to find it challenging than females. Dentists were most familiar with distraction, although half found Tell-show-do to be an effective tool. Female dentists were more likely than males to be
familiar with anxiolytics and find them effective.
Conclusion: Overall, Bihar general dentists are most familiar with using distraction and Tell-show-do during appointments for anxious patients. Gender differences exist in attitudes towards anxiolytic use for patients with dental anxiety. Practice Implications: By identifying techniques that are comfortable for patient and practitioner, oral health disparities associated with dental anxiety may be reduced.
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