Training for dental professionals improves confidence in managing patients with dental anxiety in Ireland

Abstract

##Statement of the problem Dental anxiety is common and its impact can be profound. Dental professionals may lack training and confidence to support patients with dental anxiety. In 2017, an educational intervention was provided to dental care professionals designed to improve participants’ management of adults and children with dental anxiety. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of the intervention on participants’ confidence in managing patients with varying levels of dental anxiety. ##Methods Dentists and dental care professionals were invited to participate in a bespoke training day on dental anxiety management. Self-administered questionnaires were completed immediately before and immediately after the educational intervention. Respondents scored their level of confidence in managing patients who are anxious about dental treatment before and after training using a visual analogue scale. Differences were tested using Student’s t-test. ##Results Fifty-seven participants responded (RR=73.1%). Participants were predominantly female (n=52, 91.8%) and reported seeing a median of 12, 10 and two patients with mild, moderate and severe dental anxiety, respectively, per week. Paired data were available for 40 participants regarding mildly and moderately anxious patients, and for 39 respondents for severely anxious patients. Mean confidence scores increased from pre to post training, increasing by 9.1%, 11.9% and 25.1% for management of patients with mild, moderate and severe dental anxiety, respectively (p<0.01). ##Conclusions Training was effective in improving confidence among dental professionals regarding the treatment of patients with mild, moderate and severe dental anxiety. Participants highlighted barriers to oral healthcare for patients with dental anxiety.