Opinion poll of dental clinics environment among dental hygienist students

DOI Web Site
  • ITAHANA Akari
    Division of Comprehensive Oral Treatment, Matsumoto Dental University Hospital
  • TSUTSUI Noriko
    The Nippon Dental University College at Niigata, Department of Dental hygiene
  • SANO Kimito
    The Nippon Dental University College at Niigata, Department of Dental hygiene Department of Dental Anesthesiology, The Nippon Dental University, School of Life Dentistry at Niigata

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 歯科衛生士学生の歯科に対する意識調査
  • シカ エイセイシ ガクセイ ノ シカ ニ タイスル イシキ チョウサ

Search this article

Abstract

<p>The factors that trigger dental anxiety in patients include the sounds that characterize the environment of the dental clinic and the past treatment experiences of the patient. However, there is a dearth of literature on the strategies that dental hygienists can use to create an environment that prevents and reduces dental anxiety in patients. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to analyze the relationship between dental imagery and the environmental factors that trigger dental anxiety. A total of 114 participants, consisting of 58 first graders and 56 third graders from Nippon Dental University Niigata Junior College, responded to a survey questionnaire. We used chi-square test of independence to analyze individual differences in dental imagery and the factors that trigger dental anxiety in first graders and third graders. Environmental factors such as the “sound,” “smell,” and “dental equipment” of a dental clinic were reported as triggers of dental anxiety. Sound-related factors (e.g., the sound emitted by dental cutting devices during treatment) were frequently reported as triggers that evoke negative dental imagery and were described using words such as “pain” and “scary.” With regard to smell-related factors, aromatherapy was believed to alleviate negative dental imagery and dental anxiety among patients who experience anxiety in response to the smell of medicine. With regard to dental equipment-related factors, some participants reported that they became anxious when they viewed dental equipment, whereas others reported that they became anxious when they did not view them. These findings serve as an empirical base upon which appropriate corrective action that is aimed at mitigating dental anxiety in patients can be undertaken. Specifically, since the environment of the dental clinic has been found to be related to dental imagery, medical personnel can mitigate dental anxiety in patients by addressing environmental triggers.</p>

Journal

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top