CURRENT APPROACHES IN MANAGING DENTAL ANXIETY: A NARRATIVE VIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Dental anxiety is a common problem faced by dental practitioners worldwide. Generally, the management of dental anxiety can be classified as pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, in multiple studies and reports available on this subject.Aims and objectives: This paper will provide a general overview of the pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies in the management of dental anxiety, supported by dental literature. This would help dental practitioners understand the benefits and limitations of the different methods of treating their anxious patients.Methodology: This is a narrative review and a summary of the different approaches and methods available in the management of dental anxiety. Relevant articles were searched from the online databases of PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, and the keywords used to identify the papers were ‘Dental Anxiety’, ‘Pharmacological’, and ‘Non-pharmacological’.Conclusion: Appropriate management of dental anxiety is crucial to ensure a successful dental procedure. The choice of the anxiety management must be based on the complete understanding of the particular patient, identifying the source of anxiety, and working hand-in-hand with the patient for better oral health care.