European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS TO CONTROL ANXIETY BEFORE DURING AND AFTER DENTAL TREATMENT

Cuenca-Álvarez Ruth Denis*, López-Escobar María Luisa, Cortez-Rodríguez Blanca, Moreno-Hernández Luis, Zárate-Flores Alma Delia, Balderas-Gómez Francisco, Perea-González Gloria Patricia and Cordero-Perea Hazel

ABSTRACT

Anxiety is a normal emotion that every human beingexperience in situations in which the subject feels threatened by external orinternal danger. Sometimes, some people express that sensation caused by dentaltreatment, creating barriers that cause patients to stop coming to consult. The identification, management and control of anxietybefore, during or after a treatment is of great importance, it is whereadaptation and intercommunication between patient, environment and dentistbegins to be created. Different causes influence anxiety to manifest, such asfear transmitted by the environment, post traumatic experiences, long waitingtimes before the consultation, and long-term appointments. There are variations in prevalence and levels ofanxiety such as biological, cultural, economic and social factors. As dentists, we must to ensure that patients remain relaxed and under control during theconsult, allowing good collaboration during treatment, preventing that anxietylimits cooperation and affecting the outcome of the treatment. There are alternatives to conventional treatments(medications) to control anxiety, such as aromatherapy and the use ofaudiovisuals aids. In the present investigation, alternatives were applied tocontrol or reduce anxiety and verify their effectiveness in patients thatrequires dental consultation who attend the Dentalli clinic in the town of Ometepec, Guerrero. Efficacy and better effect on patients wereanalyzed, establishing safe administration protocols and thus providingeffective alternatives to patients facing this type of problem. Using the Kruskall-Walls test, both therapies werecompared, resulting in aromatherapy as the most effective alternative.

Keywords: Anxiety, alternative treatments, aromatherapy, audiovisuals, dental care.