Treatment of Dental and Dental-Related Behavioral Dysfunctions in a Consultative Outpatient Clinic: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

Dental and dental-related behavioral dysfunctions, such as dental anxiety or phobia, extreme gagging reflex, orofacial pain, rejection of prosthesis, glossal symptoms, and others, often cause severe problems during routine dental treatment. The multidisciplinary team of the Consultatory Outpatient Clinic for Behavioral Dysfunctions of the School of Dental Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, works toward creating a proper environment for the treatment of such patients and developing adequate therapeutic modalities. The philosophical approach of the treatment is reviewed, and various case histories are discussed.

Key Words:

• Dental treatment
• Hypnosis
• Anxiety
• Phobias
• pain