Dental Fear and Anxiety in Pediatric Patients

Caroline M. Campbell, BDS, MSc, MFDS RCPSG, M Paed Dent (Ed), FDS Paed Dent (Glas), is a Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry with a Role in Undergraduate Training at the Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Trust and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, UK. She is an External Adviser in Paediatric Dentistry to the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and Faculties in Scotland, Representative for Royal College Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow on specialist training committee for Paediatric Dentistry and chairperson of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry – West of Scotland Branch. Within her department, she has been responsible for a variety of initiatives. These include instigation of use of the child dental anxiety assessment tool Faces Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (f MCDAS), improvement of the referral pathway and patient management, introduction of a needle desensitization and relaxation technique, and establishment of a database for children attending sedation that has enabled her to evidence anxiety reduction for inhalation sedation, hypnosis, and relaxation techniques. She continues to undertake research, having received two research prizes and given talks on her activities at international, national, and local levels during the past 3 years. She is the author of a number of papers in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, she has extensive under- and postgraduate teaching experience.

“This is a guide to the management of pediatric dental fear and anxiety (DFA) and phobia to help practitioners fully comprehend all the factors associated with managing the condition. … The target audience is dental practitioners. Other audiences include students, residents, and allied dental providers. … This is a good quality, comprehensive overview of dental anxiety and phobia in children. The book is also useful in assisting practitioners in effectively managing patients in the dental office presenting with these challenges.” (Janet H. Southerland, Doody’s Book Reviews, June, 2017)

• Part I: Background & Assessment.- Background and Prevalence of Dental Fear and Anxiety.- Patient and Parental Preparation.- Dental Fear and Anxiety Assessment in Children.- Coping Styles in Children.- The Assessment Visit.- Treatment Allocation- Explaining the Options.- Part II: Treatment.- Non Pharmacological Behaviour Management Techniques: An Art and a Science.- Communication and the use of Language.- Relaxation.- Hypnosis.- I.V. Sedation.- Techniques to help Children Cope with Local Anaesthesia.- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.- Part III: Moving Forward.- A child Centred Service: The Voice of the Child.