Abstract
Behavioural reactions to dental procedures have not received sufficient attention in either the psychiatric or dental literature. In medicine, behavioral reactions have been studied in relation to many types of medical and surgical procedures [1-7]. In dentistry, behavior in the dentist’s office has been studied and related to maternal anxiety and to previous dental or medical trauma [8,9]. Behavior after the dental office visit has not received much emphasis, nor have adverse behavioral reactions been described as squeal to dental procedures. The patient to be described may represent an extreme example of an adverse reaction to a series of dental procedures, but the case is worthy of note.
Highlights
Behavioural reactions to dental procedures have not received sufficient attention in either the psychiatric or dental literature
Neither the tonsillectomy nor the dental procedures were considered to be of any emotional importance
The fourth factor to consider is the parents’ general low level of warmth as noted in their interview. Such lack of warmth may be characteristic of their approach to their children at home and, together with their psychologically unsophisticated approach to events of emotional significance, may indicate a low capacity to assuage the emotional insults associated with the tonsillectomy and the dental extractions
Summary
Behavioural reactions to dental procedures have not received sufficient attention in either the psychiatric or dental literature. They chuckled as they related his initial terror with these procedures but proudly reassured me that “he got over it just fine after the fourth or fifth visit.” This dental history seemed unusual, but both parents were absolutely certain of the facts as presented.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
