Overcoming Dental Fear: The Evolution of Dental Care

‘TO WHAT EXTENT HAS DENTAL CARE CHANGED SO FEAR IS NOT A FACTOR?’

INTRODUCTION:

This study was stimulated by my work experience, during which I was surprised to see most of the patients at a local Dental Clinic were very anxious about visiting the dentist. Fear by definition is an emotion that is induced by a threat causing a change in the brain. Fear has always been part of our human nature. It is a protective and instinctive emotion that helps keep us safe. Early humans who were quick to fear dangerous situations were more likely to survive and reproduce so it has been preserved throughout evolution. Dental fear is the fear of dentistry and receiving dental care however dental phobia should not be used on people whose fears are not excessive.

These techniques were used whilst the dentist was carrying out procedures like injections. In some practices, Dentists use audiotaped stories to relax their patients . It can be strongly argued that dental care has improved to reduce dental fear because by using audiotaped stories it allows the patients to close their eyes and avoid the stimulus fear. Videotaped cartoons are also effective as a dentist can stop the cartoon if a child suddenly becomes uncooperative and start the video once they are more willing – meaning the technique serves rewarding properties to children when they are

Water Fluoridation is a controversial topic that holds a wide range of views . Fluoride is an element that strengthens the tooth enamel and therefore reduces the risk of caries. Caries is a scientific word for tooth decay, a process involving bacteria in dental plaque metabolising the carbohydrates in the food to produce acid that demineralises the tooth, and eventually leading to cavity formation, which requires complex and quite painful treatment such as fillings and extractions . If tooth decay can be prevented, the cost of NHS dealing with patients would be reduced. At present only certain areas of the UK are fluoridated including parts of the West Midlands, Newcastle and Southampton. This means that only 10% of the population have fluoridated water, but why is that the case? Many people are against the idea of having fluoridated water because fluoride is poisonous to humans and needs to be controlled. However, the optimum levels of fluoride are only 1 part per million of water – low enough not to cause any side effects. The idea of water fluoridation to some people seems like a mass medication for the whole population, and in theory it shouldn’t be carried out in practice, as every individual requires different and personalised treatment to meet their dental needs. Moreover, too much fluoride can cause fluorosis in developing teeth (sometimes called ‘mottled teeth’), which are white stains that appear on