Oral Psychophysiology Stress, Pain, and Behavior in Dental Care

Oral Psychophysiology: Stress, Pain, and Behavior in Dental Care presents the many different behavioral aspects of dental treatment, including specific dento-related behavioral dysfunctions (fear, anxiety and phobia, excessive gagging reflex, orofacial pain). Special attention is given to the specific problems of elderly dental patients, including possible problems in adapting to dentures. The effects of stress on physiological conditions in the oral cavity and stress-related behavior, such as syncope or inability to achieve local anesthesia, are discussed. The book also summarizes possible treatment modalities for patients who find it difficult to cope with the various aspects of dental care, such as behavior modification, hypnosis, and pharmaceutical approaches.Oral Psychophysiology: Stress, Pain, and Behavior in Dental Care is an indispensable resource for dentists and dental students who occasionally encounter "problematic" patients. The handling of such patients requires more than the usual, familiar, manual skills and is often a source of stress and frustration to the dentist. By developing an understanding of the underlying principles of the behavior of these patients, a clinician will be able to create a better interpersonal relationship with his/her patients, prevent some of the potential problems, and solve others.